Science, Society, Sociology.

What Ayn Rand essentially claims in Atlas Shrugged is that man should not work for the benefit of others, or for the purpose of appealing to others, but rather to continue to add to his own competence, sense of purpose, and magnificence, and thus, strive towards a personal gain in the most holistic, in that it is something that is intangible to all but oneself. In her opinion, we should all be single-mindedly employed to further the existence of the aristocracies of the grandiose, whether they be agencies that have accomplished the monumental over generations or intricate systems that have served the public for lifespans. From a glance, this may appear to be simple selfishness – even hedonism, and at the very least, a gross disregard for society in general. But is it really? If each and every one of us strove to be the best we could be, not for the benefit of others or outward appearance, but out of pure desire of being, would not society benefit majestically? Mercurial things like morals and ideals have assumed many difference guises over the ages, but competence never has. Competence has been, and always will be, the one true virtue that defines any human being. If someone is able to be so precisely punctual, so efficient, and so ruthless in his work that he resembles a small, yet indispensable gear in the machinery of modern society, is he not to be praised? Has he not earned his pay justly and unquestionably? Is not the man without purpose then the most depraved? Thus, what Ayn Rand hints at is this: that true magnanimity, true generosity, and true duty towards the people lies not in copious donations, but rather by pursuing your purpose in the world and performing your duties spectacularly well. Competence, not charitability, is the one real benefactor. All else is simply corollary.