Acharya Prashant addresses a question about emulating Howard Roark, the protagonist of Ayn Rand's 'The Fountainhead', particularly regarding his immunity to social influence. He explains that Rand constructs a binary world where characters are judged solely by the extent to which they are influenced by others. While Roark is portrayed as a 'goody' who is entirely immune to social norms, the speaker warns that this portrayal is a fictional simplification. Rand conveniently omits Roark's past, family, and biological conditioning, presenting him as born perfect. Acharya Prashant argues that the primary source of human corruption is not society, but the physical and genetic conditioning inherent in the human body, which he refers to as 'Prakriti'. He emphasizes that while resisting social pressure is noble, it only addresses about ten percent of the human problem. The remaining ninety percent lies within one's own mind and biological tendencies. True liberation requires a fight against oneself rather than a dramatic rebellion against society. He cautions against using Roark's character as an excuse to blame others, such as parents or relatives, for one's own internal struggles. He notes that Rand's characters often lack the complexity of real human relationships and spiritual development, which are necessary to overcome internal conditioning. Acharya Prashant advises the audience to maintain perspective when admiring figures like Roark. He suggests that instead of blind idolization or total rejection, one should recognize both the strengths and the limitations of such portrayals. He encourages a discerning eye that acknowledges the inconsistencies in Rand's philosophy while still finding inspiration in Roark's ability to resist external temptations. Ultimately, he asserts that real rebellion is subtle and begins with self-conquest, rather than superficial imitation of a fictional character's mannerisms or social defiance.
