I've eaten most of the book so far, and there are some incongruities with my value system.
Logic
SelfEsteem
Awareness
Vulnerability
(if you want these detailed, ask)
Basically they are intertwined, you cant really have one too high if the others aren't. Consider a scientist who works on a theory, but lacks the vulnerability to share and accept advice from his colleagues.
So, back to the book, Dagny and Rearden are portrayed as low vulnerability, medium selfesteem, high logic individuals. (if you want a debate about this, ask) Thus the contradiction, how can low vulnerability be paired with high logic? You can notice especially in their interactions with the blessed Trio how stupid they seem. So they aren't really high logic as they are portrayed to be.
This brings us to the other issue, why are they so damn liked/validated by everybody (wise) ? they are very much similar to all the others in value. The others have much more vulnerability, lets take her brother, he is vulnerable, he thinks about things, is open to thinking about that stuff. Or even better, that bum that told her about 20c Motors, he damn well understands everything, whats good and whats not, while she does not. Why is she or Rearden prioritized ? what for ? Couldn't those people understand the concept of John much easier ? Isn't the whole point inspecting and valuing the mind ?
Plus, if these people lack vulnerability, if they are passive their logic is clearly thwarted, there is no high functionality without vulnerability, especially when dealing with people, as they all are.
Another issue I have with her logic, is that of the plan of letting people break down, basically enter depression aka low selfesteem aka be vulnerable enough to think and reframe their values.
This again is assumed, not clearly stated, but if you see those people as high logic individuals, they would understand it conceptually, from a phrase, as the golden trio has, or most of the ones in the valley.
Dagny is repulsive with her smirks and laughs in the presence of superior beings. Her low selfesteem shines brightly, and yet, she receives validation from them, that's just fucked up.
Also John is shown as invulnerable, as shying away from the conflict of romance. I guess most of her work is incongruent when it comes to romance, as she took some convictions and never properly analysed them. She doesnt deem worthy of attention the fact that people are fake and inauthentic when it comes to romance that games and avoidance is a virtue or at best "neutral" , 'natural'.
well, let's see how it will all end, but most likely Ayns value system was not that well thought off.
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