adam_haroun

Hello everyone! Thanks again for all your insight, advice and critique. Tonight I managed to put together a very rough copy of my topic proposal, here it is. let me know what you think. ---- Phase One: Topic Proposal TOPIC: World History – Historic figures as products of their upbringing/environment. THESIS: Ayn Rand developed her philosophy of Objectivism out of resent towards the Communist reign in Russia under which she was raised; and out of awe towards American society, to which she escaped. 3 MAIN POINTS OF DISCUSSION: ● The philosophy of Objectivism explained in brief Background: Ultimately, in order to understand how the Soviet rule in Russia affected Rand, and how the values and freedom of America gave her hope and inspiration, one must understand what Rand’s ideas were and what her philosophy of Objectivism is. Simply put, Objectivism states that: ○ Man is an ends to himself (an individual’s own happiness and achievement is the object of his life) ○ Reality is an objective absolute (facts are facts, regardless of human emotions or hopes) ○ Reason is man's only means of perceiving reality (an individual can only understand reality as they know it) ○ The ideal political-economic system is laissez-faire capitalism (the state and economic affairs should be completely separate) To be discussed: In this section, I will speak about some of Rand’s most influential works and how they were based on or inspired by her life experiences. I will also elaborate upon the philosophy of Objectivism itself and explain how each of its principles were expressed in Rand’s works and how these principles are present in our current world. ● The negative conditions imposed upon Russians under rule of the Soviet under Bolshevik rule. Background: In 1917, the time of the Russian Revolution, Ayn Rand (born Alisa Zinov'yevna Rosenbaum) was twelve years old. Under the rise of the Soviet led by the Bolshevik party, Rand’s family was shaken. Rand’s father, a pharmacist, had his pharmacy confiscated. Although her family fled to (a republic of the Ukraine), in 1921, however, this region fell to the Bolshevik party; and the Soviet once again ruled over Rand’s life; just as it had in her native Saint Petersburg. To be discussed: In this section, I plan to elaborate upon the ideas and political viewpoints held by the Bolshevik party and how these ideas, though the Soviet’s actions, affected the lives of those living in the region, such as Rand during her childhood. ● The inspiration which America had upon Rand. Background: In her final year of high school, Ayn Rand took an American History course. Immediately, Rand was inspired and awed by the ideals held by America- namely the concept of democracy and the power of the individual in society. Ultimately, in 1925, Rand made the decision to flee Soviet Russia for the freedom of the United States. Although she told the Soviet her visit would be a short stay with relatives, she was determined to never return to Russian soil. She later obtained a visa and became a screenwriter in Hollywood. To be discussed: In this section, I plan to contrast the values and ideals held by the Soviet under the Bolshevik party with those held by America, a free and democratic nation. I will also elaborate upon Rand’s experiences in America and how these experiences helped shape her works and her philosophy.

Wow, thanks for the quick responses! Well, I think the assignment is asking us to prove how someones environment may have influenced them to become the people they became and act the ways in which they did. As for the points, those sound excellent! In fancier words...how does this sound? How could I phrase them? - The communist regime in Russia was oppresive to the Russian people, and many wished to fight it. (then explain the awful communism and corruption, etc) - The momentum of the industrial revolution was building worldwide and challenging Communist regimes, such as the found in Russia. (explain the situation---which I dont know about, I'll need to research it) - Ayn Rand chose to rebel against the regime which oppressed her, and challenge authority and previously conceived ideas about society and life with her doctrine of Objectivism (and explain the concept of Objectivism in short) Any more suggestions? Input? In regards to Wikipedia, it is forbidden in the sense we would not be allowed to list it as a source, although I could research information on the website, as long as the information was not used in the body of my essay itself...

Hello there, My name is Adam and I am currently a high school student in Ontario, Canada. I am currently enrolled in a World History class where we have been assigned an Independant Study Unit. In this assignment, we are asked to pick a significant person in history and explain how they are a product of their environment. For this essay, I would like to pick Ayn Rand and explain how she formed the philosophy and doctrine of Obejctivsm as a reaction to her upbringing during the Russian era of comunism/the Russian Revolution. Therfore, my thesis would read something like the following "Ayn Rand developed her doctrine of Objectivism as a result of her upbringing during the Communist reign in Russia and the Russian Revolution" The essay asks us for three main points in which we can defend our thesis, and this is where I am confused. As this is a history essay, I need to focus more on the Russian Revolution and Comunist reign and explain what these things were like, and how they affected Rand. I would also like to make one of my points somethign that briefly explains objectivism- but I am not sure how I could phrase that. As well, the assignment asks us for three sources- a website (Wikipeida is forbidden), a periodical, and a published references (encyclopedias are forbidden). I was thinking of using http://aynrand.org for my website, perhaps one of Ms.Rand's books or a book about her for my published reference, and possibly an interview which she has done for my periodical reference? I would like to also mention that I have never written an essay of this genre before, and that unlike many of you, my knowledge of Ayn Rand's upbringing, and of Objectivsm in general, is very juvenile. I would very much appreciate any pointers or constructive criticism in both of these regards! I thank you for your knowledge and for your help in advance! Thanks, Adam