We have learned about Ayn Rand's background and how that impacted her novel and her ideas.
Today we watched the short video on Objectivism, which is Ayn Rand's philosophy.
Here is your assignment:
1. Do you consider yourself someone that puts yourself first or the needs of others first?
Really think about it before posting your response below. Try to be as honest as possible.
2. Make a connection to one of the characters so far in the novel and whether they represent selfishness or altruism. Explain your reasoning.
3. Then, I want you to respond to one of your classmate's posts. Explain why you agree or disagree with their response. Be respectful of each other.
Your grade will be based on the thoroughness of your response to question one and two as well as your comment to someone else's thoughts.
All responses must be completed by November 7th before midnight.
Make sure to include your name in both your original post and your response to a classmate's post so that you can receive proper credit.
*If you are having technology issues email me your response and I will post it for you.
1. I would consider myself someone who generally puts their own needs ahead of those of others. However, of course, this doesn't always apply, because the world isn't quite so black and white as that.
ReplyDelete2. The obvious choice for a selfish character is, of course, Howard Roark himself. Selfishness is defined as "being concerned, sometimes excessively or exclusively, for oneself or one's own advantage, pleasure, or welfare, regardless of others." This describes Roark perfectly. He is an architect because he chooses to be, because it is what fulfills him as a person. He designs buildings against any kind of style but his own because it is what he perceives as beautiful and worth making, regardless of the popular opinion or rejections of his work. This doesn't make him a bad person, but an independent one.
3 (for Isabella Restrepo). I can see why you think as being selfish to be defined as being concerned for oneself. But I do believe that everybody has a little bit of altruism in them. Meaning that, I'm sure that at least once in their lives, you've done something that you really didn't want to do but did it to please somebody else who is dear to you. In the end, selfishness or altruism is neither a good nor bad quality to have, generally speaking. Of course, everybody is different and it all depends on your moral thinking.
Delete1. I am selfish at times but i do things for other people 90% of the time. Although being really selfish i sometimes find myself doing things for others that i know will never return the favor. When everything is said and done i'll normally find myself in a giving position.
Delete2. I can not relate to Howard Roark because he does things that put himself first while i do things for other people. Roark as an architect, does his work his way without other people interfering while i would usually interfere. Having his own style he has his own idea of what his message in art should be.
3. I agree with Isabella Restrepo and Sebastian Huerta when they say that sometimes being too kind is bad in some cases i've felt that on a personal level and i can fully understand what they're saying. It's always good to take care of other people but when the time comes will they take care of me? maybe being a little selfish wont be bad for me.
1. In complete honesty, I would consider myself as one to care for others first than myself. I wish I wasn't so kind like that for it does harm me when I don't get my priorities finished because I'm completing somebody else's responsibility.
ReplyDelete2. I can deeply connect with Peter Keating with the fact that he succeeded in architecture mostly to please his mother. He does represent some selfishness but deep inside, he is mostly altruistic. I can relate to him because I, myself, have done things only to please other people like family or friends, even though I wasn't in agreement with the task.
(Ashley Lopez)
DeleteI also wish that I would put myself first more often. I do believe that being too kind can also have negative outcomes. Of course we should help one another and be respectful, but we should also consider what is best for our own good as well.
1. I consider myself being selfish to some degree. I will put myself ahead of others when I make decisions that will impact my future. However, I am not selfish in the way that I will ignore someone else's thoughts or advice to help me succeed. At the end of the day, I have to do what's best for me.
ReplyDelete2. I can relate to Howard Roark because we both do things that put ourselves first. Roark, as an architect, does his work his way without other people interfering. He has his own style and won't let other people change his views on what "beautiful art" is.
3. I agree with Isabella Restrepo when she says that sometimes being too kind might be bad because you won't be able to finish your things in order to finish someone else's responsibilities. It's always good to take care of others but in the long run, being selfish might not be that bad.
1. Unfortunately, I exhibit a tendency to put others prior to myself. Without a doubt, I additionally consider myself selfish by partially demonstrating altruism through acts of ensuring the satisfaction of my needs. Situations involving decision making usually involves an intricate internal conflict amongst sacrificing to please others or reaching towards my best interest.
Delete2. Relating to Peter Keating's perspective, he gravitates towards other's opinions instead of genuine contentment regarding to himself. For instance, asking Roark what he'd do if he was in his shoes when deciding between continuing to expand his education or work for Guy Francon. I definitely without awareness seek aid from others in respect to critical decisions.
3. I agree with Sebastian Huerta's response. Doing what's best for yourself is important when determining your success. Caring for others is necessary in a humane aspect of ideology yet there are limits present to guarantee an individual fulfills their way of life.
Jorge Flores
Delete3. I also agree with Sebastian Huerta. Sometimes putting yourself first is important if you want to be successful, not only in work. Naturally putting others first is the "righteous" thing to do.
(Ashley Lopez)
ReplyDelete1. Sadly I am one who puts others needs before my own. I often catch myself asking if my decision will please others instead of worrying about whether or not it would benefit me. I also tend to worry about others issues rather than taking care of what I need to do.
2. Peter Keating is definitely a representative of altruism. Instead of thinking about what would truly make him happy he asked for Roark's opinion on whether to go to the school or work for Guy Francon. In the end he made his decision based on what his mother wanted him to do.
3. I agree with you when it comes to being too kind. I often worry about how my decisions will affect others and if it will make them happy instead of asking how it will affect me or make me feel. This is problematic when it comes to trying to make decisions that will affect my life in a major way, as I'm too busy worrying about what others would want me to do instead of what I want. I feel it is important to find a healthy balance between helping others and taking care of our selves.
Delete1. I consider myself as being more selfish than selfless. There are times when I do things simply to please others around me. However, there are many situations in which I think it's important to consider what's in my best interest before doing something.
ReplyDelete2. I can relate to Peter Keating in that despite choosing the career his mother wanted for him, he decided he has to be the best at what he does. He made it his job to succeed. Peter represents selfishness because he is constantly making decisions that will only benefit him.
3. I agree with Sebastian Huerta that at the end of the day you have to think about what will benefit you, especially when having to make decisions that will have a big impact on your life in the future
Jorge Flores
ReplyDeleteAP Class -- Fountainhead Response Question
1. I'd like to consider myself a person who puts others needs before those of himself. Although it might depend in the situation and, or person. Example: if there is something I have that could someone, I would give it to that person, but if that something could also help a family member even more, I would have to put my needs first and choose the family member.
2. I could make a connection with someone like Howard Roark in some aspects. He likes to work in his own terms, doesn't like people trying to change that. He likes to win, so do I, it wouldn't be hard to relate all those things. In the other hand he has to be the smartest guy in the room, not me. When you think your better than others, you're underestimating those people, meaning you doesn't really know what they are capable of. He has that superiority thing, where he goes first. Howard Roark is constantly representing selfishness in the book.
Loraine Rodriguez
ReplyDelete1. If i'm being completely honest I would consider my self has a more selfish person then a selfless person.Although I don't mind putting others needs over mines at certain times I always tend to consider what is in my best interest.
2. I can relate to Howard Roark because we both do things that puts ourselves first. Roark as an architect, does his work his way without caring what people say about it. He is only worried about what will affect him and nothing else.
3. I agree with Isabella Restrepo that it might not be such a good thing to be so selfless.Of course we should help one another from time to time but we should also consider what is best for ourselves and our own future.
Julio Ramirez
ReplyDelete1.For me, I always have two perspectives on things. I am selfless when it comes to some people ,but it is such a small number I can count it on one hand. I tend to be selfish 99% of the time. Because, to be completely honest, other people only care about themselves. So if you dont have your back, no one else will.
2.I can relate to Howard Roark. Like him, I like to do things my own way no matter what anyone else thinks. No matter if i will completely fail or rise above others i do what i want.
3.I agree with Loraine on the matter that I consider what is in my best interest and what i will gain from helping someone else. You cant just agree to help someone or to do something for them without thinking of the repercussions it might have on you. Doing something nice for someone could be very bad for yourself.
1. I am personally the type of person who will put others before themselves. All though this isn't necessarily a bad trait, it can often be a hindrance. I am usually too concerned with others and helping them that I will forget or ignore my own. Though I sometimes wish I could be more concerned with myself I always find myself unable to do so. I feel as though I am failing others if I am not constantly doing the most I can to help them.
ReplyDelete2. Howard Roark is the perfect example of selfishness. He always does what he wants when he wants to. However, his selfishness isn't toxic like most would expect. Despite others poor opinions of him, he has never done anything against them. Their dislike of him is caused by his lack of caring if they dislike him or not. He simply lives for his own approval and for his own wants. He manages to do this without ever bringing any harm towards anybody or hindering anyone in their own purists. Ironically, it is the characters we think of altruists who often bring harm to others or wish to hinder them in their attempt to further themselves, and it is the character most see as selfish who never causes any problems for others. Still, he is a textbook case of selfishness as everything he does is for himself.
(Jose Villarruel)
Delete3. I can relate with you in how you are very selfless and have the constant need to please those around you. Although, being selfish in some scenarios is healthy.
Jonathan Manga
ReplyDelete1. I would say I put others before I put my self. I dont put my self before others because they may have it worse than I do. So ill tend to listen to what they have say and attempt to be not bias.
2. Peter Keating is a character I can say I relate to in a sense because he went looking for Roarks opinion so he based his thoughts off what Roark. I tend to look for others opinions over mine.
3. I can agree with Sebastian Huerta because at the end it is what you do to benefit yourself but I will still try to help others.
1. I consider myself someone that puts others needs before mine. I always make sure everyone is pleased and happy before I care for myself. But, of course sometimes it is necessary or healthy to be a little selfish and attend to ones own needs before anyone else's.
ReplyDelete2. Howard Roark has demonstrated some qualities of a selfish person, as he completes his work by himself and for himself. He does not put anyone else's needs before his and he does not take anyones opinion into account. He is a very independent individual who does not really care for what others have to think or say about his character.
1)Each different situation is in need of its own unique plan of action.In my opinion I can be either depending on the situation i have fallen in.
ReplyDelete2)Personally i can relate to the character Howard Roark because he shows both selfish and altruistic acts. From being independent and striving to achieve greatness within his own unique styles of architect. Yet he also he isn't one to turn down someone who needs his help.
3) I agree with Loraine Rodriguez because we both share the same views on Howard Roark and how he shows a healthy amount of selfishness and altruism
-Beatriz Figueras
Camila Ospina
ReplyDelete1) I honestly consider myself someone that puts them self first, although there are times that I will put others needs before mine. In life you cannot simply expect those around you to help you in your times of need, so you must put yourself first and be there for yourself.
2) I find Howard Roark to be the selfish character in the novel. He doesn't like doing things in any other manner except for how he sees it to be beautiful. Roark doesn't ask or look for other peoples approvals in his work, he just does what he does and it only matters if HE likes; this isn't necessarily a bad thing, specially if he is trying to conserve his individualism.
3) I agree with Isabella's responses and how putting others before yourself can harm you, that is the reason why the majority of the time I put myself first. I, like her and Mr. Keating have done things to please family members, so I understand why she would find this to be the altruistic part in his character.
1. Personally, I am a very un-selfish person. For every action i make i always try to think of two things. I think about the effect it will have on me and as well as those around me. But at times i also wild out and not care.
ReplyDelete2. I can relate to Howard Roark but not 100%. There are times that i do things because i want to and nothing will influence my choice, but there are other times where i do listen to others and let myself be influenced.
3. I agree with Isabella's response that says putting others before you may harm you sometimes. There are times that we are subconsciously blind to all the bad things the people we love do. We try and look past them because we want to put them before us, but a lot of the times we ourselves come out hurt in the end. This is why there are times that we should be selfish and times we should be selfless.