Quote by Ayn Rand, Atlas Shrugged, 1957
The good, say the mystics of spirit, is God, a being whose only definition is that he is beyond man's power to conceive - a definition that invalidates man's consciousness and nullifies his concepts of existence. The good, say the mystics of muscle, is Society - a thing which they define as an organism that possesses no physical form, a super-being embodied in no one in particular and everyone in general except yourself.... The purpose of man's life, say both, is to become an abject zombie who serves a purpose he does not know, for reasons he is not to question.
Summary
This quote critiques the perspectives of two different groups of mystics regarding the concept of "the good." The mystics of spirit argue that the good is an unknowable God, a being beyond human comprehension and existence. They suggest that man's consciousness and understanding of existence are rendered meaningless in the face of this divine entity. On the other hand, the mystics of muscle claim that the good is found in society, an intangible entity that encompasses everyone but yourself. Both groups, according to the quote, advocate for a life where individuals become mindless beings who blindly serve a purpose they do not comprehend or question. The quote presents a view that challenges both perspectives and raises doubts about the purpose of human life.
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