[ExI] Meta Rand

[BillK]

On 6/19/09, Dan_ust wrote:
>  Well, consider the example of the section in _Atlas Shrugged_ where
> John Galt is captured and then tortured.  Rand and her followers take
> pains to mesh this with egoism.  On a simplistic account of egoism,
> Galt should just give in to avoid the torture and even work with the
> government which promises him power and wealth.  Instead, he is
> tortured -- and even fixes the torture device when it breaks.
> (This does seem to be a biblical allusion, no?)
>


No, not a biblical allusion. It is obviously referring to-----------

On a beautiful Sunday afternoon in the midst of the French Revolution
the revolting citizens led a priest, a drunkard and an engineer to the
guillotine. They ask the priest if he wants to face up or down when he
meets his fate. The priest says he would like to face up so he will be
looking towards heaven when he dies. They raise the blade of the
guillotine and release it. It comes speeding down and suddenly stops
just inches from his neck. The authorities take this as divine
intervention and release the priest.

The drunkard comes to the guillotine next. He also decides to die face
up, hoping that he will be as fortunate as the priest. They raise the
blade of the guillotine and release it. It comes speeding down and
suddenly stops just inches from his neck. Again, the authorities take
this as a sign of divine intervention, and they release the drunkard
as well.

Next is the engineer. He, too, decides to die facing up. As they
slowly raise the blade of the guillotine, the engineer suddenly says,
"Hey, I see what your problem is ..."
-----------


BillK