The Sacred Word Ego In Ayn Rand's Anthem

Anthem Essay

“The sacred word: EGO.” These are the final words in Ayn Rand’s Anthem, but what does the word ego mean? The general definition of ego is “a person’s sense of self-esteem or self- importance.” Today people think that ego or being an egoist is the same as conceited. However, as explained by the definition, ego can show how someone is self-centered because they may have great self-esteem, but for most people it means self-worth in basic way. To Equality 7-2521 ego is holy or sacred, but throughout the story he doesn’t show the characteristics of being an egoist. Although, after he discovers the lightbulb, he starts thinking more- about himself and all things surrounding him. “No single one can possess greater wisdom than the many

collectivism. Most of the excerpt provided explains the reasons and thoughts behind ideas such as altruism. “Egoism was held to mean the sacrifice of others to self. Altruism- the sacrifice of self to others.” Equality 7-2521 did not ever risk the well-being of others for himself. While he might have thought of his self-first, he did not have cruel intentions towards others. Concerning altruism, he did not directly risk his own life for the sake of society. However, at the end, when he was explaining what he wanted for the next generations to come, he reasoned that of all the information in the world, people should know about it. “I and they, my chosen friends, my fellow-builders, shall write the first chapter in the new history of man,” (101). He later states: “And the day will come when I shall break all the chains of the [E]arth, and raze the cities of the enslaved, and my home will become the capitol of a world where each man will be free to exist for his own sake. For the coming of that day shall I fight, I and my sons and my chosen friends. For the freedom of Man. For his rights. For his life. For his honor,” (104). Not only did he want to share information, he also knew that if there was a way for Liberty 5-3000 and his-self to be different, then there ought to be many more like that. He wants to harbor and cherish the individuality of others and use for the sake of humankind. It is