Standing Alone Against the World in Ayn Rands The...

Standing Alone Against the World in Ayn Rands The Fountainhead Conformity is a basic human characteristic that man spends a life time either fighting or accepting, but few can escape. Parents, churches, schools, and communities teach that the path Peter Keating follows is the assured road to security and happiness. Humans crave companionship and are willing to sacrifice their values, beliefs, and very souls for the satisfaction of superficial love. Howard Roark demonstrates that true happiness comes from within, at the end of a wearisome road. He confirms this ideal through exhaustible determination struggling from burdensome beginnings to almost unattainable goals without relenting to pressures from society. This concept of†¦show more content†¦This is a considerable rejection because the A.G.A is a prestigious association. Howard, however, has no time or use for such social graces. He feels that no help is required in his career or life, nor desires any type of outside opinion or influence on any aspect of his work or life. Pe ter is understandably astonished, after all he lives to exceed the status quo by achieving membership in such activities. Membership that brings companionship, recognition, and praise. Peter wants the world to believe he is great and important and will do anything to achieve such a position in society. For Peter, the end will always justify the means. Roark, however, desires nothing more than the satisfaction of knowing he is great. He has no use for the conventional standards by which greatness is measured, standards such as fame, fortune, and a large circle of admirers one can call friends. Roark rejects the A.G.A. and along with it the standards most of the world conforms to. Howard Roarks final explosive response to society comes in the Cortlandt Homes incident. The Cortlandt Homes are a government housing project that Roark designs so Peter Keating can get the commission to save his career. Roark agrees to undertake the project, however, on the pretence that the project is completed exactly as he specifies. Peter eagerly complies and with Roarks design is granted the commission. When the project isShow MoreRelatedContemporary Ethical Theory Philosophers5014 Words   |  21 Pages(1877–1970) defined his purpose as â€Å"to examine the nature, relations, and implications of three conceptions which appear to be fundamental in ethics—those of ‘right,’ ‘good’ in general, and ‘morally good.’† Moore, as we noted, believed that that which alone makes right actions right is that they produce more good than alternative actions do. This seems reasonable enough, does it not? If a course of action is right, it must be because it is more productive of good than are alternative courses of action