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The single, greatest inspiration for this piece comes from some of the Objectivist ideals, which were laid out by Ayn Rand in her 1957 Magnum Opus: Atlas Shrugged. Whether folks like it or not, that particular book has been described numerous times as being second only to the Bible for the amount of influence it has had towards modern, western (and especially US) politics. At one point in the aforementioned novel, Rand puts forth the opinion, via one of the main characters, Francisco d’Anconia (and which I will paraphrase), that: “The most depraved type of human being is the man without purpose.”
I’ve always found that particular notion to be one of those ones that’s so absolutist on its face as to be absurd, such as Denis Didérot’s contention that: “All ownership is theft”. If Rand’s statement (via d’Anconia) is to be taken at face value, then the vast majority of people on this planet are irretrievably depraved. Of course, one could also ask the question as to just how wide that definition of ‘purpose’ really should be, because, after all, it could be argued that everything has a purpose, even if that ‘purpose’ is just to provide food for something else. Hell, it could be argued that even a deadly virus has a purpose…
Beyond that, I think I’ll let the readers figure out the rest for themselves.
I’ve always found that particular notion to be one of those ones that’s so absolutist on its face as to be absurd, such as Denis Didérot’s contention that: “All ownership is theft”. If Rand’s statement (via d’Anconia) is to be taken at face value, then the vast majority of people on this planet are irretrievably depraved. Of course, one could also ask the question as to just how wide that definition of ‘purpose’ really should be, because, after all, it could be argued that everything has a purpose, even if that ‘purpose’ is just to provide food for something else. Hell, it could be argued that even a deadly virus has a purpose…
Beyond that, I think I’ll let the readers figure out the rest for themselves.
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That's always a good question. Whereas everyone has the first, to a greater or lesser degree, the second one is often quite problematic indeed.
As for the saying... The version my grandmother taught me was: "The Devil finds work for idle hands to do."
Same idea, though.
Thanks, as always, for the comments. :)
As for the saying... The version my grandmother taught me was: "The Devil finds work for idle hands to do."
Same idea, though.
Thanks, as always, for the comments. :)
'A man without purpose
is the most depraved creature on earth - '
I would like to note that this quote is true, at least for me, because the lack of purpose in my own life has caused most of my misery.
But I'm probably not understanding the context of the quote due to not having read any of Rand's work.
However, the quote alone reminds me a bit of Viktor Frankl's book, Man's Search for Meaning (which I'm still trying to read).
Perhaps worse is the man who, lacking a purpose, is content simply dropping out of the search for one, but again I'm reminded of the opening poem of Ecclesiastes when it declares that the common pursuits of men are mere "vanity" and/or "vexation of spirit." Ecclesiastes, as it just so happens, tends to be a particularly resonate Old Testament book for me; but now before I start rambling...
It was a good poem, but the opening, if I were writing it, would not be as strong as I like it. This, however, seems to just be a stylistic difference between the two of us. By that I mean, I try my best to avoid clichés in my poetry, but you, taking a different approach, make use of the clichés to hammer home the point. Still, the searching out of the topic that follows is definitely a laudable endeavor. It's, in my view, the greatest feature of your poetry. Good job!
And I hope you're doing well...
is the most depraved creature on earth - '
I would like to note that this quote is true, at least for me, because the lack of purpose in my own life has caused most of my misery.
But I'm probably not understanding the context of the quote due to not having read any of Rand's work.
However, the quote alone reminds me a bit of Viktor Frankl's book, Man's Search for Meaning (which I'm still trying to read).
Perhaps worse is the man who, lacking a purpose, is content simply dropping out of the search for one, but again I'm reminded of the opening poem of Ecclesiastes when it declares that the common pursuits of men are mere "vanity" and/or "vexation of spirit." Ecclesiastes, as it just so happens, tends to be a particularly resonate Old Testament book for me; but now before I start rambling...
It was a good poem, but the opening, if I were writing it, would not be as strong as I like it. This, however, seems to just be a stylistic difference between the two of us. By that I mean, I try my best to avoid clichés in my poetry, but you, taking a different approach, make use of the clichés to hammer home the point. Still, the searching out of the topic that follows is definitely a laudable endeavor. It's, in my view, the greatest feature of your poetry. Good job!
And I hope you're doing well...
Ecclesiastes also brought us: "To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under Heaven..."
It's good to bring up the Wisdom of Solomon at a time like this.
I've been at a rather low point, recently, but I'm surviving. Sometimes that's the best one can hope for. Day by day.
Thanks, as always, for your kind words.
It's good to bring up the Wisdom of Solomon at a time like this.
I've been at a rather low point, recently, but I'm surviving. Sometimes that's the best one can hope for. Day by day.
Thanks, as always, for your kind words.
Hm, I didn't think that I would find someone on this platform who knows the philosopher Ayn Rand. On the other hand, I could assume that you yourself are American. She is much better known in America than in Germany, for example. When I hear something from state media about her. She is mentioned in the context of Donald Trump. And both are portrayed extremely negatively.
Even if you are not from the USA. I find it interesting that there is someone here who knows her.
I got to know Ayn Rand through the political youth organization Liberty Rising, where I am an active member. https://libertyrising.de/
This organization is the largest capitalist and libertarian youth organization in Germany. Which is already difficult because in Germany no one considers capitalism to be a moderate attitude. At the same time, I am more and more of the view that Germany should solve from the state side and market and state should be separated as well as state and church. And above all abolish the welfare state. Many foreign people come WAY the welfare state. And since 2015 one argues whether one should close the borders. Focus on the refugee crisis in 2015.
The last 2 to 3 years I have dealt more closely with their philosophy and can me in many areas to befriend me.
Even if you are not from the USA. I find it interesting that there is someone here who knows her.
I got to know Ayn Rand through the political youth organization Liberty Rising, where I am an active member. https://libertyrising.de/
This organization is the largest capitalist and libertarian youth organization in Germany. Which is already difficult because in Germany no one considers capitalism to be a moderate attitude. At the same time, I am more and more of the view that Germany should solve from the state side and market and state should be separated as well as state and church. And above all abolish the welfare state. Many foreign people come WAY the welfare state. And since 2015 one argues whether one should close the borders. Focus on the refugee crisis in 2015.
The last 2 to 3 years I have dealt more closely with their philosophy and can me in many areas to befriend me.
I'm actually a Canadian citizen, but close enough to American, I guess. :P
With regards to Ayn Rand and a lot of other controversial authors, I have always been of the firm belief that people should actually read those authors, before forming an opinion. Far too many people these days are so intellectually lazy that they allow the media to tell them what what to think and believe.
Of course, thinking for oneself is not a popular viewpoint these days, alas.
With regards to Ayn Rand and a lot of other controversial authors, I have always been of the firm belief that people should actually read those authors, before forming an opinion. Far too many people these days are so intellectually lazy that they allow the media to tell them what what to think and believe.
Of course, thinking for oneself is not a popular viewpoint these days, alas.
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