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 industrialization 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 focus on the steel industry after recognizing the importance of steel to the industrial economy. 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 uphold world peace. Before his death in 1919, he donated 90% of his assets—$350 million—leaving only 10% for his descendants. This book explores the main ideas and practical activities in Andrew Carnegie's life from four perspectives. 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 actions throughout his life. These complexities and diversities ultimately resulted in a unification under paradox. With the ruthless methods of a "robber baron" and the exceptional talents of an "industrial leader," he led the rapid development of the American steel industry. Caught between the contradictions of an "idealist" and a "realist," he sought a balance between his past radical days in Dunfermline and the luxurious life of a wealthy class that he had lived for most of his life. 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 accumulated wealth, but ultimately returned most of it to society in the form of charity, achieving a harmonious unification in his later years and leaving a profound impact on American society and the world. These unifications under paradox reflect his extraordinary life and thoughts. Among the legacy Andrew Carnegie left behind, there are two aspects of his spirit worth admiring. 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.