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Teaching ’s at the Christian University1 Blaine McCormick Baylor University

McCormick seeks to help the reader understand “Atlas Shrugged” in a Christian cultural context, contrast the novel’s objectivistic with that of Christianity, and contrast the business activities seen in the novel with Christian business prescriptions.

Abstract novel Atlas Shrugged2 is Ayn Rand is one of the most considered by many to be her successful and influential fiction masterpiece and continues to writers of the 20th century. sell thousands of copies each Her novel Atlas Shrugged is year, more than two decades considered her most important after her death in 1982. Atlas work and is widely read in Shrugged is virtually unique in business circles. This article literature for its positive depiction seeks to help the reader of business leaders and the role of understand Rand’s novel in business in society. Whereas most a Christian cultural context. widely known literary works Rand’s philosophy of portray business leaders as is contrasted with Christian oppressive, conniving, or hollow teaching, and several business (e.g., John Steinbeck’s The Grapes activities from the novel are of Wrath, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s highlighted and contrasted with The Great Gatsby, or Sinclair traditional Christian business Lewis’ Babbit, respectively), prescriptions. Atlas Shrugged portrays business leaders as heroic beings who are Teaching Atlas Shrugged at the central to the quality of life of Christian University any society. Not surprisingly, Ayn Rand was one of the Rand’s work has been well most influential authors of the received and widely read in 20th century. Her epochal 1957 business circles because of this.

96 The JBIB Fall 2004 In 1991, the Library of American detective novel. Congress conducted a survey When I use the book in class, my of 778 Americans, asking them students often groan at the novel’s to name a book that had made 1,000-plus pages, but the vast a difference in their lives.3 majority of them read it, and The number one book listed some even ask for more. This is was the — not surprising a rare occurrence for 1,000-plus in an historically Judeo-Christian page novels in the modern nation like the of university. An additional America. The number two book, for her popularity is that Rand however, was Atlas Shrugged. was a competent and intentional Additionally, Atlas Shrugged propagandist. In one of her was also named to the New personal letters, Rand stated York Public Library’s list of with characteristic bravado, 100 “Books of the Century”4 “I’m the chief living writer of and placed first in the Modern propaganda fiction, I think — at Library’s Reader’s Poll of best least I think I’m the only one who novels published in the English knows how to do it properly …”.6 language since 19005 — besting Her propagandist intentions result such critically praised works in a dramatic novel populated as Harper Lee’s To Kill A with larger-than-life caricatures Mockingbird (#4), J.R.R. that the reader will either love or Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings hate. In the end, the novel quickly (#5), and James Joyce’s Ulysses grabs the reader’s interest and (#11). The introduction to the keeps him or her turning the latest printing of the novel claims pages as more and more that everything Rand wrote information is added to an during her lifetime is still in print, ever-developing plot. selling several hundred thousand A final reason that Atlas units per year and upwards of Shrugged has achieved high 20 million in total thus far. levels of popularity is that Rand How did Atlas Shrugged created institutions to perpetuate achieve and maintain such and increase the novel’s influence. widespread popularity? For Rand saw herself as a philosopher, starters, it’s an entertaining and although her popular legacy today interesting read due to Rand’s is that of a novelist. That is, the admiration of the Romantic vast majority of people are literary movement and the introduced to her philosophical

Teaching Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged ... 97 ideas by way of her fiction. Rand’s rising legitimacy as a Nevertheless, she clearly outlined source of management thought a school of philosophical thought is worth noting. This rising known as objectivism early in her legitimacy suggests that Rand’s career and embedded it in her novels will continue to sell well, popular writings. Atlas Shrugged her work will continue to be is believed to be the fullest cited, and her influence will artistic expression of her continue to grow within the objectivist ideals. After Rand’s Academy of Management and death in 1982, the Ayn Rand other areas of the business Institute in Santa Monica, academy as well. California, became the primary This article is written to vehicle for spreading her provide professors a framework philosophy with Atlas Shrugged for teaching Atlas Shrugged at as the primary vehicle for Christian universities. Rand’s introducing her philosophy to novels are wonderful texts to use college students and business at faith-informed business schools professionals. Each year, the Ayn due to Rand’s contention that Rand Institute (www.aynrand.org) faith in God has no place conducts a variety of educational whatsoever in the world of seminars, debates, and essay business. In fact, she rather contests for high school and derogatorily labeled any sort of college students. faith-informed thought or activity Recently, objectivism has as “irrationalism” or “mysticism.” begun to make more visible Most certainly, there are other inroads into business schools and management theorists and the Academy of Management. philosophers that are silent or Rand has recently been cited as a antagonistic to the idea of God. credible source of management However, Rand and her followers and organizational thought in have been particularly ardent in several articles in prestigious their attack upon faith-informed management journals and perspectives — as the reader of continues to be promoted within the novel will quickly discover. the Academy of Management by This article is written from a number of scholars.7 Though the perspective of a Christian happening in tandem with a scholar8 and does not attempt a growing interest in spirituality complete critique of Rand’s and religion within the Academy, philosophy of objectivism.

98 The JBIB Fall 2004 Rather, my wish is to accurately tents where evangelists cried in portray Rand’s ideas in her own triumphant gloating that man was words while at the same time unable to cope with nature, that clarifying and expanding the his science was a fraud, that his narrow Christian characterizations mind was a failure, that he was that populate her novel. For the reaping punishment for the sin interested reader, objectivism as of pride, for his confidence in a philosophy has been thoroughly his own intellect — and that critiqued by both explicitly only faith in the power of mystic Christian scholars and otherwise.9 secrets could protect him from This article has three sections. the fissure of a rail or from the First, I wish to help the reader blowout of the last tire on his understand Rand’s novel in a last truck. Love was the key to Christian cultural context. the mystic secrets, they cried, Second, I wish to contrast Rand’s love and selfless sacrifice to the philosophy of objectivism with needs of others (p. 463). some basic Christian teachings. Finally, I wish to highlight At other places in the several managerial activities from novel, her character Francisco the novel and contrast them with d’Anconia argues against the traditional Christian prescriptions. Apostle Paul’s well-known Christian teaching “For the Rand in the Christian Context love of money is the root of Rand’s attacks on religion are all evil” (I Timothy 6:10). inclusive of all faith traditions Still later, her character John and are particularly sharp against Galt goes to great lengths to the Christian tradition in Atlas condemn the Christian doctrine Shrugged. The Christian tradition of original sin. In the final is explicitly called into question sentence of the book, Galt as early as the fourth page of the raises his hand to bless a new book. Later in the novel, during a world with the sign of the dollar time of national crisis, as opposed to the traditional Christianity is portrayed as a Christian sign of the cross. desperate last resort as the In fact, Galt’s parallels to Jesus country hurtles toward oblivion: are so frequent that Rand critic John W. Robbins contends in People with pleading eyes his book Without A Prayer that and desperate faces crowded into Rand deliberately constructed

Teaching Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged ... 99

Galt as a messianic figure to both and also attended a year of effectively counter the Christian film school. In 1926, Alissa worldview while at the same time immigrated to the United States exploiting its powerful narrative. under the guise of a visit to Rand is not the first person to relatives in Chicago. She took call Christianity into question, the name Ayn Rand and moved and she certainly will not be the to Hollywood almost immediately last. Christianity has been called to become a scriptwriter and into question by critics wielding begin her literary career. both more coercive power than An awareness of Rand’s Rand (such as the Roman Russian origins is particularly Empire) and by critics with important in understanding her more complete philosophical work and her opposition to alternatives (such as Friedrich Christianity in particular. Having Nietzsche). witnessed her family’s Rand is, Rand reacted ... by unnecessary and intense however, choosing to become suffering following the a notable Bolshevik Revolution, presence at the an atheist. she adopted strong anti- moment and collectivist sentiments should be understood in her own that remained with her throughout context and how that context her life. Researchers have amply shaped and motivated her documented the horrors of life writings. in the emerging Communist Ayn Rand was born into a regime should any readers doubt culturally Jewish family as Alissa the horrors that Rand might have Rosenbaum on February 2, 1905 witnessed.10 Similarly, Rand grew in St. Petersburg, Russia. After up in the cultural context of the the Bolshevik Revolution in Eastern Orthodox Church. Most October 1917, the Rosenbaum likely, this contributed to her family business was nationalized. rather one-dimensional portrayals The family later fled to the of Christians (and other faith- Crimea, where the young Alissa centered individuals) as non- would complete high school. rational “mystics.” A small When the Crimea also fell to amount of church history will the Bolsheviks, the Rosenbaums help clarify this point. returned, and Alissa enrolled in In 1054 A.D., a great split the University of Leningrad occurred in the Christian church

100 The JBIB Fall 2004 between what is now the Holy skewed toward mysticism and Roman Catholic Church and away from rationalism. the Eastern Orthodox Church. Rand reacted to the A variety of issues contributed mysticism of the Eastern to the split, but one of the Orthodox Church and the main criticisms from the Bolshevik Revolution by Eastern churches was that the choosing to become an atheist. Western (or Roman) churches Biographers note that she were becoming too rational. adopted in 1918 just The Roman Catholic Church prior to turning 14.11 At that confirmed this assessment by time, the young Rand — going on to produce one of the having seriously considered the great defenders of rational question — noted in her diary, thought, St. Thomas Aquinas, “Today, I decided that I am an two centuries later. atheist.” Although she may have Nearly a millennium after experienced the full impact the split, the Eastern Orthodox of the emerging Communist Church still claims to be the experience, whatever experience one true church of Christ. she may have had with the In fact, Orthodox thinkers Eastern Orthodox Church gave continue to debate the spiritual her only a narrow slice of the full status of both Roman Catholics spectrum of Christian thought and and Protestants, and a few practice. actually consider them to be heretics. Following the Great Objectivist Philosophy and Schism of 1054, the Eastern Christian Teaching Orthodox Church became ever In 1974, Rand gave a more committed to its mystical commencement speech at West core and remains so to this day. Point titled “Philosophy: Who As such, if Christianity could be Needs It?” In this speech she thought of as a continuum stated, “… the choice we make is ranging from non-mystical to not whether to have a philosophy, mystical, the Eastern Orthodox but which one to have: rational, Church would serve to anchor the conscious, and therefore practical; mystical end of the scale. As a or contradictory, unidentified, and result, Rand’s earliest experiences therefore lethal.” Similar to Rand, with religion — Russian I believe that if we are going to Orthodoxy — were heavily talk about Christianity and how

Teaching Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged ... 101 Christianity matters in the reason (Rand rooted in , marketplace, we should do so Christianity rooted in Thomas as clearly as possible with our Aquinas) and the primacy of the students. Furthermore, if we are individual (Rand, again, drawing to challenge business students upon Aristotle, and Protestant to think about how their faith Christianity drawing upon matters in the marketplace, Martin Luther). In addition, it’s beneficial to do so in direct Christianity and objectivism contrast to other paradigms that both contend that all cooperation do not include faith but claim to is ultimately voluntary — that is, be more effective because of this you can’t coerce people into absence — paradigms such as doing the essential acts of giving Rand’s. Whereas others have effort, generating breakthrough argued for Christian business ideas, or pursuing salvation. models,12 none have done so Furthermore, I’m not the only in direct contrast to Rand’s Protestant writer to find common increasingly popular framework. ground between the two systems. This section is written in broad Philosopher and objectivist critic strokes, and each contrasting John W. Robbins agrees with point could very easily be many of Rand’s positions expanded into several pages. including “her praise of My goal is to quickly capture purpose and productive work, the main differences between her condemnation of laziness, the two worldviews and credibly her enthusiasm for private document their sources, leaving property, her advocacy of specific examples in the hands of laissez-faire and the teacher working with the limited government, her attacks novel. on , her support of In the sections that follow, egoism, and her vigorous objectivist philosophy and defense of logic.”13 Although Christian teaching are briefly these similarities are noted here, contrasted with one another. the differences will serve to I write from the perspective of frame the classroom discussion. a Protestant with an Arminian In contrast to Robbins’ work, heritage and find objectivism and other Christian thinkers contend Christianity to share a surprising that Christianity makes no amount of common ground. Each endorsement whatsoever of places great importance on both particular economic systems.14

102 The JBIB Fall 2004 So just what is objectivism? Rand advocated the of Ayn Rand once stated, “My a self-sufficient humanity beyond philosophy, in essence, is the the primitive idea of God and concept of man as a heroic subject to no limitations other being, with his own happiness than that of what she called as the moral purpose of his life, “objective reality,” or, to with productive achievement specifically use her word, as his noblest activity, and “existence.” Rand’s humanity reason as his only absolute.” is not a random branch on the These four phrases neatly Darwinian tree of life but, rather, sum up her philosophy and a unique being on a unique provide the basic outline for trajectory whose origins just the framework I use to teach happen to be unknown or her novel. unknowable. Clearly, however, Rand believes humankind to Objectivist Philosophy: be a product of nature. Man as a Heroic Being; In her novel, Rand neatly Christian Teaching: Man as a categorizes humanity into three Fallen yet Beloved Creation groups she labels “giants of

Table 1

Framing Atlas Shrugged for Classroom Discussion

Objectivistic Philosophy Christian Teaching

Man as a heroic being Man as a fallen yet beloved creation

Happiness as man’s moral Obligation to community purpose

Productive achievement as man’s Work as a blessing; Sabbath rest noblest activity

Reason as man’s only absolute Love as humankind’s only absolute

Teaching Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged ... 103

productive energy,” people of rouse themselves to any effort, “moral integrity,” and “whining who do not possess the ability of rotters.” A short dialogue between a filing clerk, but demand the two characters (Francisco income of a company president, d’Anconia and Hank Rearden) who drift from failure to failure from the novel captures and and expect you to pay their bills, clearly differentiates among the who hold their wishing as an three groups. equivalent of your work and their need as a higher claim to reward “When you felt proud of the than your effort, who demand that rail of the Line,” said you serve them, who demand that Francisco, the measured rhythm it be the aim of your life to serve of his voice giving a ruthless them, who demand that your clarity to his words, “what sort strength be the voiceless, of men did you think of? Did you rightless, unpaid, unrewarded want to see that Line used by slave of their impotence, who your equals — by giants of proclaim that you are born to productive energy, such as Ellis serfdom by reason of your genius, Wyatt, whom it would help to while they are born to rule by the reach higher and still higher grace of incompetence, that yours achievement of their own?” is only to give, but theirs only to “Yes,” said Rearden eagerly. take, that yours is to produce, but “Did you want to see it used theirs is to consume, that you are by men who could not equal the not to be paid, neither in matter power of your mind, but who nor in spirit, neither by wealth would equal your moral integrity nor by recognition nor by respect — men such as Eddie Willers — nor by gratitude — so that they who could never invent your would ride on your rail and sneer Metal, but who would do their at you and curse you, since they best, work as hard as you did, owe you nothing, not even the live by their own effort, and — effort of taking off their hats riding on your rail — give a which you paid for? Would this be moment’s silent thanks to the man what you wanted? Would you feel who gave them more than they proud of it?” could give him?” “I’d blast that rail first,” said “Yes,” said Rearden gently. Rearden, his lips white. “Did you want to see it used “Then why don’t you do it, by whining rotters who never Mr. Rearden? Of the three kinds

104 The JBIB Fall 2004 of men I described — which men and fall short of the glory of God, are being destroyed and which and are justified freely by His are using your line today?” grace through the redemption that (pp. 421-422) came by Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:22b-24). As such, we are in a Rand’s “giants of productive position of weakness, rather than energy” or “men of the mind” one of strength as Rand proposes. (as she more commonly refers Christians most certainly to them) are heroic characters acknowledge that differences who embody the greatest ideals in ability and motivation exist of both the Romantic literary among humans, but this is not the movement and objectivist primary differentiator that it is for philosophy. Dagny Taggart, Rand. Rather, the starting place Hank Rearden, John Galt, and for Christians is our sinfulness the others are larger-than-life before God as well as our status characters that act out of a as a beloved creation. position of strength and seem immune to tragedy and suffering. Objectivist Philosophy: Philosophically, Rand advocates Happiness as Man’s Moral this same heroism and basically Purpose; Christian Theology: denies that suffering exists. Obligation to Community For her, a worldview (like Rand’s ideal man, John Galt Christianity) that embraces of Atlas Shrugged, was an end in tragedy and suffering as himself and lived by the words, inevitable is not only deeply “I swear — by my life and my flawed but morally wrong. love of it — that I will never live Christianity teaches that man for the sake of another man, is a created being who has fallen nor ask another man to live away from his Creator and is in for mine.” Rand modernizes the need of reconciliation. In his Aristotelian ideal of pursuing Confessions, Augustine neatly one’s own happiness as one’s captured this sentiment with the moral purpose in life, and phrase “Thou hast created us her philosophy is highly for Thyself and our hearts are individualistic as a result. restless until they find their Her extreme views are best rest in Thee.” Christianity also captured in the title of her 1964 teaches that among men “There is philosophical work The Virtue no difference, for all have sinned of Selfishness. In brief, gifted

Teaching Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged ... 105 individuals exist to maximize accompany it. In other words, only their own happiness. personal happiness is not the In contrast to objectivism, penultimate Christian calling. Christianity teaches that gifted In class I often point to the individuals are not ends unto conspicuous absence of children themselves. Rather, Christianity from the novel and question teaches that God is the giver of how objectivism reconciles the gifts and that gifted individuals sacrifice of being a parent with have an obligation to the greater always pursuing individual community along with their happiness. Most adults find gifts.15 I often ask my students as parenthood to be quite a reality I teach this book, “To whom are check, as it’s the first time they you obligated?” Although the list interact on a regular basis with often begins with close friends, someone who is more selfish it ultimately turns toward parents than themselves. (and other ancestors) and the Trinitarian theology also greater society from which the provides a moral ideal to guide students have benefited socially, actions of Christians. The economically, or educationally. Trinitarian God of Christianity Arguably, the novel’s most is one God composed of three famous line is the query, “Who is individual yet interrelated beings: John Galt?” In contrast, I like to God the Father, God the Son, ask, “Who is John Galt’s and God the Holy Spirit. The mother?” since she is never concept of a Trinitarian God mentioned in the pages of the suggests that we are never more novel. Galt seems to have actualized than when we are in emerged full-grown, much like relationship with one another.16 Athena birthed fully formed from Furthermore, the true nature of the head of Zeus. Objectivism our being may exist at the rejects any demand made upon community level even though the individual by the community we do not necessarily have to and strongly condemns the notion sacrifice our individuality. of altruism. Christianity, in Trinitarian theology suggests that contrast, contends that if one we only truly know ourselves in is to choose to live in a state of relation to others just as the community, then one must learn Trinity is a constant state of to embrace the idea of altruism interrelatedness. and the suffering that will often

106 The JBIB Fall 2004 Objectivist Philosophy: theology also informs us about Productive Achievement as the nature of God and that God Man’s Noblest Activity; is a worker (Genesis 1:1 and 2:2) Christian Teaching: Work as a who has been at work in His Blessing; Sabbath Rest creation since the beginning. Rand’s view of work is Jesus was also a worker who evident in the busy, productive called people by their work lifestyles of her protagonists as (e.g., “fishers of men”), blessed they go about building railroads, people’s work, and taught pouring metal, effectively and starting ... personal happiness is not using work business the penultimate Christian parables ventures. It’s (e.g., parable most clearly calling. of the sower). articulated by Theologically, the character of Francisco this suggests that work is in the d’Anconia when he states, very fabric of our being as a “[T]here’s nothing of any creation.17 importance in life — except how The Christian God is a God well you do your work. Nothing. who works, but He is also a God Only that. Whatever else you are who rests (Genesis 2:2-3) and a will come from that. The code of God who invites His creation to competence is the only system of partake of this part of His nature that’s on a gold standard. through Sabbath rest (Exodus When you grow up, you’ll know 20:8, Hebrews 4:11). As such, what I mean” (p. 98). Christianity embraces work and One of the great productive achievement in the misconceptions of modern objectivist sense and also Christianity is that work is embraces Sabbath rest. Christian viewed as part of the curse put writers teach a broad Sabbath upon the world after the Fall. concept as a spiritual discipline However, a careful reading of that helps remind Christians of the creation account in the book their continual dependence of Genesis suggests that God upon God and their inability to blessed humankind with work completely control their own (Genesis 2:15) well before work futures only through productive was cursed after the Fall (Genesis achievement.18 In addition, 3:17-19). In addition, Christian Christian philosophers like

Teaching Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged ... 107 Josef Pieper19 contend that rest alone. Theology advocates the and leisure are essential cultural idea of human finitude. We are activities which allow members finite, created beings who know of a society the chance to be only in part and may one day present for the inspiration that know in full. Reason and leads to creativity. intelligence are indispensable gifts for survival given to humans Objectivist Philosophy: Reason and should be promoted as such as Man’s Only Absolute; to all. However, faith is also Christian Teaching: Love as indispensable. Humankind’s Only Absolute Despite the centrality of Rand’s philosophical hero faith to the Christian worldview, is Aristotle, and she definitely Christian teaching breaks through promotes his WYSIWYG the traditional Randian “either-or” worldview — what you see choice of either reason or faith is what you get. Reality, in and offers love as humankind’s other words, is knowable by only absolute. The apostle Paul humankind and there are no notes the superiority of love in his supernatural or transcendent writings on faith, hope, and love realms of being like there were in the first letter to the Corinthian in Plato’s philosophy or in church. Among the three, Paul Christian theology. Objectivism notes, “… the greatest of these promotes the notion that reason is is love” (I Corinthians 13:13). the only tool you need to navigate The Apostle John teaches the your world, with the cornerstone supremacy of love in a number of being Aristotle’s concept of his writings, but most succinctly logical non-contradiction. in I John 4:8 in which he states Christianity, in contrast, simply that “God is love.” Thus, suggests that faith is indispensable. whereas objectivists believe one Christianity begins at the phrase cannot go wrong with reason as “I believe …” and presupposes a guide for action, Christians a world of mystery rather than believe that one cannot go logical certainty. From an wrong with love as a guide epistemological standpoint, for action. However, just as Christianity also suggests that objectivists might disagree as some knowledge is revealed to the reasonable thing to do, knowledge and could never be Christians might disagree as to known or established by reason the loving thing to do.

108 The JBIB Fall 2004 Table 2

Practical Implications of Objectivism and Christianity

Objectivistic Practice Christian Practice The Strike (Radical Withdrawal The Incarnation (Radical Motivated by Objective Justice) Involvement Motivated by Divine Mercy) Purpose and Certainty Vocation and Grace

So What? Atlas Shrugged and Christian Practice: Christianity in Practice The Incarnation (Radical Rand was deeply concerned Involvement Motivated by with the practical consequences Divine Mercy) of her philosophy. Likewise, At the very heart of Atlas I want my students to understand Shrugged is the concept of the how Christian beliefs impact strike. Rand wrote her novel, behavior in the marketplace. in part, as a response to the labor Objectivist philosophy and movement of the 1940s and Christian teaching will converge 1950s. Organized labor promoted on many prescriptive actions. the idea that labor was the engine For example, both objectivism that moved the world, and if and Christianity speak out strongly labor went on strike, things against lying and advocate truth would grind to a halt. Obviously, in all communications. This final Rand rejected this idea and section discusses two prescriptive believed that the businesspeople situations in which objectivism and entrepreneurs of the world and Christianity offer radically were the true prime movers. different prescriptive actions for Rand’s working title for Atlas business practitioners (see Shrugged was “The Strike,” and Table 2). it better conveys the key idea of the novel. The heart of the novel Objectivist Practice: is an organized strike among the The Strike (Radical Withdrawal most gifted businesspeople of Motivated by Objective Justice); America in which they stop

Teaching Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged ... 109 working and watch America more able out of respect for their grind to a halt in their absence. ability with any revolt being met The final title is also deeply with another strike. In brief, symbolic of a strike where Atlas, Rand’s ideal world appears to be the classical Titan who held the one where the weaker serve the world upon his shoulders, decides stronger in grateful obedience. to stop carrying the world, Rand intentionally portrays thereby shrugging. Atlas Galt as a “man of justice” shrugging is symbolic of the (p. 409) who is motivated by business heroes quitting their objective justice to organize a productive work and bringing strike among the productive the world to a standstill. Rand’s people of the world. In Rand’s heroes do indeed bring the world novel, justice exists when one to a halt and prepare to reenter enjoys the full benefit of one’s the world as victors and masters productive efforts. If the gains on the last page of the novel. from one’s productive efforts The purpose of the strike are forcibly taken through taxes, in Atlas Shrugged is to make blackmail, or any other forms of the world realize its dependence coercion, the only way to secure upon the people of ability — or justice is to stop producing “men of the mind,” as Rand altogether. When Galt concludes often refers to them. Rand’s he is the victim of injustice (i.e., hero, John Galt, realizes that others are consuming what he is the “looters” (i.e., those who producing), he chooses to strike. take from you by force) and Given Galt’s commitment to “moochers” (i.e., those who take objective justice, his goal is to from you by tears) will continue keep others from consuming more to exploit the people of ability — than they are either producing or giving almost nothing in return — paying money for. As a result, and will not be open to he goes on strike, stopping his reasonable persuasion. Thus, productive activity altogether the only solution is to withdraw, and, by effect, halting the let the world crumble down uninvited consumption of others. upon the looters and moochers, In addition, he persuades other and then return to the devastated high ability people to strike world on your own terms. with him. Given the situation, Specifically, those terms appear withdrawal — radical withdrawal to be that the less able serve the — was the only alternative.

110 The JBIB Fall 2004 Rand’s commitment to Implicitly, this suggests that objective justice extends beyond change does not begin with the personal decisions and into social withdrawal of the prime mover, culture, as illustrated in the but begins with the God who has objectivist utopia of Atlantis, continually taken the initiative to a secret community where the involve Himself in His own heroic strikers in the novel creation. reside. No friendly favors Like objectivists, Christianity seem to be allowed, as even the values justice and working to smallest gesture (e.g., dropping achieve justice in this life. a friend off on the way to Furthermore, Christianity somewhere else) must be believes that life is full of compensated. A judge resides injurious experiences that in Atlantis to resolve any could result in an unjust situation. disagreement that might emerge Christians and objectivists would among the rational, self-interested agree that as victims of injustice residents — but he had not yet our response to injustice will been called into duty. Of later often promote either more interest in this section, one word injustice or more justice. is explicitly forbidden in Atlantis: However, Christians have two Give. alternatives that are not allowable By contrast, the story for objectivists — mercy and of Christianity is a story of compassion. For simplicity of intervention. Specifically, the comparison, I’ll define “mercy” Incarnation of Jesus Christ as not getting punished when stands in direct contrast to the objectivist-style justice demands idea of the strike proposed by punishment. Likewise, I’ll define Rand. Whereas a strike can “compassion” as being rewarded be characterized as “radical when objectivist-style justice withdrawal,” the Incarnation demands that you should not be can be characterized as “radical rewarded. involvement.” Christianity In full awareness of the grace teaches that God has always he or she has received, the taken the historical initiative — Christian should be more willing in the Incarnation and other to share the gains of production acts — to reach out to His more generously and with a beloved creation, and He broader group of constituents than continues to do so today. the objectivist. This is not to say

Teaching Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged ... 111

that the objectivist would not pay which we all observe, because his or her workers fairly. I’m they pertain to the things we need certain that an objectivist would to rest from. So I’ll warn you now gladly exchange value for value that there is one word which is with any able, motivated worker. The difference would most likely be most noticeable Extending mercy is also a in how the surplus was concept that objectivists distributed. Especially at could never endorse. the personal rather than the organizational level, Christians would favor philanthropic activity forbidden in this valley: the word (known historically to Christians ‘give.’” as alms-giving) whereas objectivists would not, as Such extreme stances are demonstrated by this section difficult to reconcile with from the novel: historical examples such as that of Milton Hershey, who during [Dagny Taggart] “Did I the Depression provided the understand you to say that workers in his chocolate company Mr. Mulligan — who’s worth with free medical care and also about two hundred million paid off the mortgages of every dollars, I believe — is going to church in town with profits from charge you twenty-five cents for his company. Objectivists would the use of his car?” also object to Advent Industries, [John Galt] “That’s right.” started by John D. Beckett of the [Dagny Taggart] “Good R.W. Beckett Corporation, the heavens, couldn’t he give it to you nation’s largest manufacturer of as a courtesy?” residential oil burners. Advent He [Galt] sat looking at her Industries was started as a for a moment, studying her face, subcontractor to the R.W. Beckett as if deliberately letting her see Corporation, and its sole purpose the amusement in his. “Miss was to provide jobs for people Taggart,” he said, “we have no who were in need of proving laws in this valley, no rules, no themselves reliable employees.20 formal organization of any kind. The workers employed by Advent We come here because we want to were former prisoners, former rest. But we have certain customs, substance abusers, and other

112 The JBIB Fall 2004 people who needed to signal to sort of Christian commitment and the marketplace that they were transformed a generation of now reliable workers. Through individuals by moving man’s the company, dozens of Advent inhumanity to man from behind alumni have returned to full-time closed doors to the front pages of jobs in the marketplace that once newspapers. Such personal rejected them. sacrifice is condemnable on Extending mercy is also a objectivist terms. Rand’s only concept that objectivists could solution for such a case is to never endorse. In disciplinary withdraw your support until the situations, objectivism would looter realizes his dependence demand natural (or market) upon your superiority. Over and consequences followed by radical over again, Galt counsels his separation should the offender friends to not try to change the show any sign of trying to live looters but to leave them alone. off the goodwill of the objectivist manager. A Christian manager, in Objectivist Practice: contrast, motivated by the mercy Purpose and Certainty; he has already received, would be Christian Practice: willing to engage the offender — Vocation and Grace while not endorsing the offense The theme of purposeful — in the hope of achieving activity abounds in Atlas spiritual and personal Shrugged. Rand consistently transformation. portrays her heroes as acting In the end, objectivism “intentionally” or “deliberately” teaches that you cannot attempt and often with “certainty.” The to reform the “looter” by primacy of purposeful motivation engaging with him. Christianity, in the novel is best captured in by contrast, is open to engaging this brief exchange between two other people, both just and unjust, of the main characters from the in hopes of transforming them. novel (p. 98): Key to this engagement is the Christian’s willingness to suffer [Dagny] “Francisco, what’s and even die at the hands of the the most depraved type of human unjust in hopes of helping them being?” realize their own depravity. [Francisco] “The man without In modern times, Dr. Martin a purpose.” Luther King Jr. exemplified this

Teaching Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged ... 113 In objectivism, all purposes Christianity embraces the idea come from within the individual, of purposeful activity, it does so and motive power is everything. in a very different way than Objectivism considers the objectivism. Christians believe abandonment of purpose (and, that humans possess a will that by implication, choice) complete allows them to undertake depravity. Purposeful activity purposeful activity. Sin arises reaches its zenith in Atlas when this will is consciously put Shrugged in the organization to use pursuing activities contrary of the strike by John Galt. to God’s will. Such misuse of the Galt moves with complete will serves as the foundation of certainty with no gap existing the Christian doctrine of sin — between what he expects to a concept completely rejected happen and the reality that exists. by Rand and her followers. He correctly identifies all “men of The objectivist certainty the mind” and persuades them to portrayed in Atlas Shrugged join his strike — a remarkable claims complete control of the feat of intelligence and centralized world at all times. There are no coordination. As a result, the surprises, because everything motor of the world is stopped, can be foreseen as natural and the strikers later reenter consequences occurring in a society on their own terms. perfectly knowable objective Whereas objectivism is reality. Christianity, by contrast, characterized by purpose portrays humans as finite and certainty, Christianity is creations who can never know characterized by vocation and reality with absolute certainty — grace. Objectivist purpose arises thus the necessity of faith in our from within the person. Christian worldview. Christianity also vocation, by contrast, arises allows for the popular concept from both inside people as they of “emergence” via its notion become aware of their talents of grace. The Christian lives in and from outside people as the a grace-filled creation. God is needs of the community awaken continually reaching out to help latent talents within them. In His creation, and the task of the recent times, Michael Novak has Christian is to recognize and written most extensively about respond to this grace. As such, the possibility of business as a person can be both finite in his vocation or calling.21 Although or her ability and purposeful in

114 The JBIB Fall 2004 his or her activity and still Conclusion acknowledge a dependence upon T.S. Eliot wrote, “Man is grace for survival. man because he can recognize In his final work, Nobel supernatural realities, not because laureate Friedrich Hayek22 he can invent them. Either suggested that a commitment to everything in man can be traced the superiority of reason — the as a development from below, or foundation of objectivism — is something must come from also at the foundation of above. There is no avoiding this and ultimately . Hayek’s dilemma: you must either be a arguments predict that a naturalist or a supernaturalist.”23 management paradigm of “reason By her own admission, Rand falls and reason alone” as portrayed in on the naturalist side of Eliot’s Atlas Shrugged would result in a demarcation, and I, by my own centralized, control-oriented admission, fall on the side of the organization. By contrast, Hayek supernaturalist. argues that organizations that rely Rand saw her philosophy as on traditional beliefs as well as a package deal that should either reason would tend toward more be accepted entirely or rejected decentralized, market-oriented entirely. Readers are not free to models of management. Though accept a part of her framework Rand would never endorse and reject the rest. As such, socialism, Hayek’s claim that Rand could be characterized as reason alone ultimately results the “Party of Or.” For example, in fascism is difficult to dismiss she contends that either you’re as one observes the subservient rational or you’re irrational; that social structures that emerge by you’re a productive worker or the end of the novel. you’re a thief. Whereas Rand In the end, the objectivist could be characterized as the advocates living from a position “Party of Or,” Christianity could of strength and independence be characterized as the “Party of whereas the Christian advocates And.” In contrast to an objectivist living from a position of humility, framework, a Christian finitude, and dependence upon the framework can be much more grace of God. These different inclusive. Christianity embraces starting places result in very both faith and reason, work and different managerial outcomes. rest, individuality and community. As such, Christianity allows for a

Teaching Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged ... 115 much broader conversation and the Academy of Management Review, 14(1), (pp. 100-103). Other examples of objectivist decision set. I believe that a thought in top management journals include Christian perspective can T.E. Becker (1998), “Integrity in Organizations: Beyond Honesty and offer students the possibility of Conscientiousness,” Academy of Management capturing more of the complexity Review, 23(1), (pp. 154-161); E.A. Locke and T.E. Becker (1998), “Rebuttal to a Subjectivist and richness of existence. Critique of an Objectivist Approach to Integrity in Organizations,” Academy of Management Review, 23(1), (pp. 170-175); Blaine McCormick E.A. Locke and J. Woiceshyn (1995), “Why Department of Management Businessmen Should be Honest: The Baylor University Argument from ,” Journal of Organizational Behavior, 16(5), (pp. 405-414); P.O. Box 98006 and E.A. Locke (2002), “The Epistemological Waco, TX 76798-8006 Side of Teaching Management: Teaching Through Principles,” Academy of Management 254-710-4158 Learning and Education, 1(2), (pp. 195-205). FAX 254-710-1093 8See G.M. Marsden, The Outrageous Idea of Christian Scholarship (New York: Oxford [email protected] University Press, 1997). 9Philosopher John W. Robbins critiques Rand’s philosophy from an explicitly ENDNOTES Christian stance in his books Answer to Ayn Rand (Washington, DC: Mount Vernon 1The author gratefully acknowledges the Publishing, 1974) and Without A Prayer: Hankamer School of Business Sabbatical Ayn Rand and the Close of Her System Committee for their support of this research. (Hobbs, NM: Trinity Foundation, 1997). He also thanks Jere Yates, Mark Mallinger, Other systematic critiques of objectivism Michael Beaty, and Rick Martinez for their include W.F. O’Neill, With Charity Toward comments. None: An Analysis of Ayn Rand’s Philosophy 2A. Rand, Atlas shrugged (New York: (New York: Philosophical Library, 1971); Signet Books, 1957). D.J. Den Uyl and D.B. Rasmussen, 3The results of this survey can be found The Philosophic Thought of Ayn Rand at the Web site at (Urbana, IL: University of Illinois Press, http://www.loc.gov/loc/cfbook/booklists.html. 1984); and P.F. Erickson, The Stance of Atlas: 4E. Diefendorf and D. Bryan, The New York An Examination of the Philosophy of Ayn Public Library’s books of the century (New Rand (Portland, OR: Herakles Press, 1997). York: Oxford University Press, 1997). 10See Courtois, Werth, Panné, Paczkowski, 5The results of this survey are at Bartosek,ˇ and Margolin, The Black Book of http://www.randomhouse.com/modernlibrary/ : Crimes, Terror, Repression 100bestnovels.html. (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 6See Michael S. Berliner (Ed.), The Letters of 1999) for such evidence. Ayn Rand (New York: Dutton Publishing, 11N. Branden and B. Branden, Who is Ayn 1995) for an edited collection of Rand’s Rand? (New York: Paperback Library, 1967). letters. 12Although much has been written in this area 7Dr. Edwin A. Locke of the University of in the past few years, Business Through the Maryland is one of the key players in this Eyes of Faith, by R.C. Chewning, J.W. Eby, effort. A clear statement of his objectivist and S.J. Roels, (San Francisco: Harper & Row, views can be found in his autobiographical 1990) still serves as a useful introduction. essay “Principled Ambition” in Arthur 13See Robbins (1997), p. xiii. Bedeian (Ed.), Management Laureates, Vol. 2 14One notable example of this is R.V. Pierard’s (Greenwich, CT: JAI Press, 1993) and in his “No Economic System Flows Directly from positive review of Atlas Shrugged (1989) in Scripture,” in R.C. Chewning (Ed.) Biblical

116 The JBIB Fall 2004 Principles and Economics: The Foundations ( Springs, CO: NAVPRESS, 1989). 15Miroslav Volf discusses the implications of a gift-based theology in his book Work in the Spirit: Toward a Theology of Work (New York: Oxford University Press, 1991). 16Miroslav Volf makes this case well in his book Exclusion & Embrace: A Theological Exploration of Identity, Otherness, and Reconciliation (Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 1996). 17See Miroslav Volf’s Work in the Spirit: Toward a Theology of Work (New York: Oxford University Press, 1991). 18Two examples of this literature include Marva J. Dawn’s Keeping the Sabbath Wholly (Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans, 1989) and Tilden Edwards’ Sabbath Time (New York: Seabury Press, 1982). 19J. Pieper, Leisure, the basis of culture (New York: Pantheon Books, 1952). 20The complete story of Advent Industries can be found in John D. Beckett’s book Loving Monday: Succeeding in Business Without Selling Your Soul (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 1998). 21M. Novak, Business as a calling (New York: The Free Press, 1996). 22F.A. Hayek, The fatal conceit: The errors of socialism (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1988). 23T.S. Eliot, Second thought about humanism, Selected Essays 1917-1932 (New York: Harcourt, Brace, and Co., 1932).

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