In defence of John Galt

It's the 50th anniversary of Ayn Rand's classic Atlas Shrugged this year. It's sold six million copies in its time, and the story of engineer John Galt who "stopped the motor of the world" by collecting successful business people into a business utopia, effectively rejecting the "looters", which is what Rand named the communities of people who seek free dependency on productive businessmen/women.

In a Financial Times article earlier this month, writer Charles Pretzlik asserts that the main character in the philosophical novel, John Galt, is not worth knowing. He says reading the 1,100 pages is "a joyless experience".

I disagree. Even if you fundamentally reject the philosophy within (Ayn Rand's own Objectivism) it is still worth reading.

It's always worthwhile putting yourself in another's shoes (which is a well-loved adage from To Kill a Mockingbird) and in my opinion, this book is an excellent opportunity to put yourself in the shoes of the business owners of this world. These people are often painted as shrewd, greedy and mean, while their positive aspects, like their businesses create jobs for example, are pushed aside. Ayn Rand paints them as heroes who have succeeded because of their intelligence, ability to think, and commitment.

Besides, you have to admire Ayn Rand. After all, in these times where it seems like there is nothing new under the sun and so much of what we hear is regurgitated or plagiarised or altered only slightly and delivered to us, she developed a philosophy of her own that has endured well beyond her death. Not only that, but she discovered a philosophy that rang true for her and she lived it. This is admirable in my book.

And while the book is something akin to a big concrete brick, Rand has created a unique and compelling story that is worthwhile finishing.

SM