74. Read a classic literature book I haven't read before
So I know it's probably debatable whether Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged is considered classic literature--it was just written in the 50s--but the important thing is that Amazon.com considers it so. When searching for a book to fulfill my 74th goal on my 101 in 1001 list I typed in "classic literature" on amazon and this book came up as one of the more popular. So I figured it must be ok. Plus I read on there that it incorporates philosophy in some way, so that intrigued me. You may not know this, but I majored in Philosophy in college and really enjoyed it. Since then I have done absolutely nothing with it. So I thought it would be fun to brush up.
Whew...1168 pages later I have triumphed! I seriously feel like I have accomplished quite a feat. The book wasn't a huge page-turner but few classic literature books are. You really have to savor the depths of them. I did enjoy it though. Encased within the narrative, Ayn Rand spells out her own philosophy and worldview which is basically humanism at its root. While there is some truth and good in it, there are also a number of holes from my point of view. She paints a picture of a utopian society that can be achieved simply if man lives with rationality and reason as his highest goal. While we should definitely live through the use of our reason, I don't think it can solve all of our problems and create a near-perfect society. We need the grace of God. We cannot save ourselves wholly. That's the crux of my disagreement. But as I always have, I still enjoy reading different philosophical viewpoints than my own and thinking about them critically. If you're up for a challenge and enjoy a deep read, I would definitely recommend this book!
So I know it's probably debatable whether Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged is considered classic literature--it was just written in the 50s--but the important thing is that Amazon.com considers it so. When searching for a book to fulfill my 74th goal on my 101 in 1001 list I typed in "classic literature" on amazon and this book came up as one of the more popular. So I figured it must be ok. Plus I read on there that it incorporates philosophy in some way, so that intrigued me. You may not know this, but I majored in Philosophy in college and really enjoyed it. Since then I have done absolutely nothing with it. So I thought it would be fun to brush up.
Whew...1168 pages later I have triumphed! I seriously feel like I have accomplished quite a feat. The book wasn't a huge page-turner but few classic literature books are. You really have to savor the depths of them. I did enjoy it though. Encased within the narrative, Ayn Rand spells out her own philosophy and worldview which is basically humanism at its root. While there is some truth and good in it, there are also a number of holes from my point of view. She paints a picture of a utopian society that can be achieved simply if man lives with rationality and reason as his highest goal. While we should definitely live through the use of our reason, I don't think it can solve all of our problems and create a near-perfect society. We need the grace of God. We cannot save ourselves wholly. That's the crux of my disagreement. But as I always have, I still enjoy reading different philosophical viewpoints than my own and thinking about them critically. If you're up for a challenge and enjoy a deep read, I would definitely recommend this book!
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