Anthem by Ayn Rand

"Man—every man—is an end in himself, not the means to the ends of others. He must exist for his own sake, neither sacrificing himself to others nor sacrificing others to himself. The pursuit of his own rational self-interest and of his own  happiness is the highest moral purpose of his life."


First of all, how is this ideal realized in the story of Equality 7-2521?  Secondly, according to Rand's philosophy, humans should act selfishly in their own self-interest first and foremost.  Therefore, how does our understanding of virtue change if we alter the question as follows:  When a character acts selfishly against the prevailing vice(s) of the dominant social order, true virtue exhibits itself?  Does this question even make sense now?  Discuss the possible conundrum with reference to the novel."


      I think that this ideal is very prominently realized in the story of Equality 7-2521 in Rand's book. Anthem is based in a society that revolves around collectivism, leaving ones happiness very predetermined. Because Equality 7-2521 was not happy with the life that had been chosen for him, he resorted to acting selfishly for his own happiness and self-interest. Equality 7-2521 was much more happy when he was working on the glass box for himself. The same was obvious in regards to Liberty 5-3000. Although their relationship would have gone against the basis of collectivism, it would have brought happiness to Equality 7-2521's own life. Though he was not sacrificing his well being for the greater good of society, as was expected, Equality 7-2521 acted selfishly for himself, and himself alone. His story is a wonderful example of the idea that every man must exist for his own sake. 

    In regards to the next question, I think that true virtue does exhibit itself when a character acts selfishly against the prevailing vices of the dominant social order, to some extent. If one is doing morally good things, simply because it is the dominant social order, are they still good? Equality 7-2521 was conforming to social order and was technically virtuous, but because he was forced into his actions, I don't believe that they are true virtues. When characters act selfishly against these prevailing vices, even though the virtues may be fewer and further between, I believe that they are more true than ones done to follow social order.