In Ayn Rand's classic novel Atlas Shrugged, Ragner Danneskjold plays the anti-Robin Hood spirit. In Danneskjold's eyes, Robin Hood represents the justification for stealing from the rich to meet the needs of the poor. The legendary hero was charitable, but not with his own resources. He freely distributed the wealth of his superiors and lavished it on those who needed it. Danneskjold compares this medieval legend to his contemporary times where he opposes systems that he believes extort profits from the rich through (il)legal taxes, etc. Danneskjold's goal is to sabotage all humanitarian aid and any aid intended to help the poor. , and fill the coffers of the rich whose property has been confiscated. His belief is rooted in the principle that poverty does not give one the right to steal and necessity does not undermine morality – even when the ends justify the means. Under the guise of philanthropy, Robin Hood steals. Robin Hood is hailed as the provider of the poor and the defender of the poor's rights to survival, based on the profitability of the rich. In this case, we see that Danneskjold defends meritocracy in its strictest sense. (develop). From a broader point of view, we understand that man will always have needs to satisfy - but satisfying them by transgressing the laws of justice only degrades him to the level of a selfish and blind creature. The idealized Robin Hood is defiant and brave. Danneskjold is against the illegal attempt at equal distribution of wealth that Robin Hood sought to achieve. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay Another of Ayn Rand's main philosophies is Reason, the theme of which is highlighted in the conflict between the Dark Ages and the Enlightenment. The legend of Robin Hood arises from medieval Anglo-Saxon tradition where moral, spiritual and intellectual darkness enveloped Europe. The Renaissance had not yet appeared, so the invention, naval exploration, philosophy and science that characterize modernity were not yet pronounced. Danneskjold is as much against the Dark Ages as he is against Robin Hood. The Dark Ages encouraged religion and faith, while the Age of Reason promoted atheism and rationalism. By destroying Robin Hood, Danneskjold effectively rejects everything the Middle Ages stands for while embracing the Enlightenment. In this same passage, he also alludes to the French Revolution which arose from the century of reason and took place concomitantly with the Enlightenment. Philosophers believed in the power of human progress through mental effort and the ability to arrive at rational rather than religious or sentimental solutions. The chapter “The Moratorium on the Brain” explains brain inactivity/inaction – where the mind is not engaged or alive. Danneskjold campaigns against the brain moratorium and advocates rational thinking and establishes a close link between the French Revolution and the spirit of Robin Hood. Just as the French Revolution saw the triumph of ordinary peasants when they guillotined the aristocracy, so Dannneskjold saw what he saw as the guillotining of the rich producers by the poor unproductive parasites who were draining the resources of the rich. Class conflict is nothing new, and as there was in Robin Hood's time in England and revolutionary France, so in Danneskjold's contemporary world war rages between class raiders. inferiors and wealthy entrepreneurs. It is the class conflict which opens the way to controversy... The predominant values ​​which haveprevalent during the Age of Reason are liberalism, laissez-faire capitalism, and the anti-welfare state. Liberalism validated the superior right and freedom of the individual over the collectivism of society. Collectivism asserts that the common good of the majority takes precedence over individual will. In medieval England, Robin Hood exploited the wealth of the rich few to ensure that the masses of poor people gained/benefited, which is why he embodied this collectivist policy/school of thought. Those in the upper echelons were not entitled to their resources due to the pressing need of the (majority). Similarly, during the period of the French Revolution, the spirit of Robin Hood was manifested when the wealth and properties of the upper classes were seized, plundered and shared among the mass peasantry. Laissez-faire capitalism (F. let do) views government intervention in the financial affairs of individuals as interference that transgresses individual rights. Danneskjold says he kills Robin Hood by intercepting government relief ships, subsidized ships, loan ships, and gift ships. The state applies the policy of wealth redistribution and acquires these resources by heavily taxing the rich and passes them on to the needy. Robin Hood's goal was to equalize wealth and balance the country's economy by stealing from the rich and giving to the poor. This humanitarian redistribution of wealth reflects the principle of the welfare state. In this system, the state provides “alms” to poor and needy citizens. The wealthiest must therefore make donations to help those who are less fortunate, while the State, like Robin Hood, channels these funds to the needy. According to Danneskjold's claim as a Robin Hood antagonist, he ironically transforms into a type/form of Robin Hood. As the saying goes that "it takes a thief to catch a thief", Danneskjold becomes an outlaw himself as he attempts to reverse what Robin Hood did by taking back what the rich have lost stealing from poor thieves. In the same way that Robin Hood embodies forbidden virtue, Danneskjold has his own virtue that was illegal since his actions went against the government and established authorities. Ayn Rand's Objectivism philosophizes that "the concept of man as a heroic being, with his own happiness as his goal." moral purpose of his life, with productive achievement as his noblest activity and reason as his only absolute. » His statement summarizes his beliefs in individualism, rational selfishness, liberalism, human progress and reason. Danneskjold makes the argument that the spirit of Robin Hood promotes the cult of mediocrity among the poor. High performers must suffer because low performers suffer. Unearned resources are distributed and fuel the desire for gain while the poor survive by stealing from the rich. Indeed, the myth of Robin Hood states that Robin Hood and his merry companions lived not on their own sweat and toil, but on the meat of others. Mediocrity stagnates production and hampers the economy by atrophying the weak – who suffer from lack of usefulness. The dependence of the mass population on the resources of the rich (acquired comforts) gives them a false sense of stability and complacency. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized article from our expert writers now. Get a Custom EssayDirective 10-289 is the policy that dictated/decreed that deprived citizens of economic freedom by removing certain rights. The third point of directive 10-289 states that...