Rand Chapter8: Art and Moral Treason As we already know, what Rand calls "moral treason", the rest of us would probably call "self denial", and what Rand calls "Art", the rest of us might call "melodramatic literature".
In this chapter, Rand presents such literature (especially her own) as a kind of therapeutic experience for individuals dominated by the three emotions that characterize Modern Man: fear, guilt, and self pity. Which is, presumably, her target audience. Sound familiar? Isn't this the same audience that is targeted by some other popular programs of self improvement -- like Scientology, Est, The Forum, and various kinds of evangelical religion? There's a lot of lost souls out there, and in our modern world, they are a significant niche market. Much of this chapter is devoted to a discussion of childhood development, which is a bit odd, because, so far as I know, Rand didn't raise any children or ever teach school. So the only child she's going to know very well is herself, and unless she's being completely speculative, this chapter is about her own childhood rebellion and escape into Romantic literature. "The major source and demonstration of moral values available to a child is Romantic art (particulary Romantic literature)" For me, I'd say it was my parents. And heaven help those for whom it wasn't. ____________________________________________________________ Slip into some new Dansko shoes or sandals. Shop now. http://thirdpartyoffers.netzero.net/TGL2231/fc/BLSrjnxV66JLYOZwu2qssrnKeQzDZk GjwyziZK07Rn08ikR1mVSlUusTCpi/
