Review of Andrew Carnegie's Thoughts and Practices

Author: Lu Yuejuan
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-08-01
Features: Andrew Carnegie was one of the most outstanding entrepreneurs and philanthropists of the American industrial era. He grew up in poverty and, as a child, traveled with his parents across the ocean to the United States in pursuit of the American Dream. During the major historical period of the Industrial Revolution in the United States, he actively engaged in the foundational industries of American industrialization, reflecting his intelligence and entrepreneurial qualities. His most strategic choice was to recognize the importance of steel to the industrial economy and to concentrate his efforts on the steel industry. He pioneered the development of the American steel industry and ultimately became a giant in the U.S. steel industry. When Carnegie sold his steel company to Morgan in 1901, he became the wealthiest person in the world. From then on, Carnegie devoted himself entirely to promoting his philosophy of wealth and worked tirelessly to maintain world peace. Before his death in 1919, he donated 90-3.5 billion dollars of his assets, leaving only 10% for his descendants. This book is based on four perspectives to interpret the main ideas and practical activities in Andrew Carnegie's life. First, Carnegie's life journey; second, the pioneer of modern American big business; third, Carnegie's political thought and practice; and fourth, Carnegie's philosophical thought and practice. The book discusses Andrew Carnegie's business philosophy and practice, political philosophy and practice, and philosophical philosophy and practice, all of which reflect the complexity and diversity of his thoughts and practices throughout his life. These complexities and diversities ultimately resulted in a unity under paradox. With the ruthless methods of a "robber baron" and the outstanding talents of an "industrial leader," he led the rapid development of the American steel industry. Caught between "idealism" and "realism," he sought a balance between his past radical days in Dunfermline and his current life as a wealthy class. In the real environment of capitalist development, his idealism ultimately aligned with the development trends of the United States. Driven by the ideology of "self-interest," he earned money, but ultimately returned most of his wealth to society in the form of charity, achieving a harmonious unity in his later life and leaving a profound impact on American society and the world. These unities under paradox reflect his extraordinary life and thoughts. Among the legacy Andrew Carnegie left behind, there are two aspects of his spirit worth praising. First, Carnegie's entrepreneurial spirit; second, Carnegie's philanthropic spirit. It is these two aspects of his spiritual wealth that set him apart from other entrepreneurs of his time.