Ayn Rand said of her own philosophy that it “in essence is the concept of man as a heroic being, with his own happiness as the moral purpose of his life, with productive achievement as his noblest activity and reason as his only absolute” (Atlas Shrugged Centennial Edition, pg. 1170) “Who is John Galt?” is the first question we are greeted with in Atlas Shrugged, Ayn Rand’s magnum opus of her philosophy, which she dubbed Objectivism. This question appears throughout the sprawling novel and gathers facets each time. “Who is John Galt?” is a question of bitterness, confusion, and resignation for many of the questioners, but as readers discover the man behind the question, they find the answer. John Galt is the full and perfect embodiment of Objectivism.
In accordance with Rand’s philosophy, Galt holds his happiness as his moral purpose. Throughout the novel, manipulation of one’s happiness is a key tool of the looters. This can be seen through the comments of men like Floyd Ferris: “There's no way to rule innocent men. The only power any government has is to crack down on criminals. Well, when there aren't enough criminals, one makes them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking
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He refuses to play their word games and deals only in what is logical. When held by Mr. Thompson, he is asked to rescue the failing economy. When Galt suggests government cutbacks, Mr. Thompson flounders and refuses, yet still asks him to save the country. Galt asks him how he was to do such a thing several times: a question Mr. Thompson is unable to answer. The practical reality is never abandoned by Galt, despite the willingness of others to discard it. As Galt said later, “[t]ruth is the recognition of reality; reason, man's only means of knowledge, is his only standard of truth.” (Atlas Shrugged Centennial Edition, pg.