In the 1966 film, Alfie, the character Alfie embodies different ideologies, which view the human person as “image of self” as opposed to “image of God.” The choices and actions Alfie makes and his relationships with others embody various ideologies, such as objectivism described by Ayn Rand. The standards Alfie live by, his moral code, treatment of other people, views on love and final self-reflection all include ideas from the Objectivism ideology, which views the person as “image of self.” For that reason, objectivism embodied by Alfie’s moral code and personal standard to live by can be contrasted to the Catholic Intellectual Tradition, which views the human person in the “image of God.” Alfie lives by a standard and moral code that coincide …show more content…
His relationships with other people are solely for “getting the most for oneself and without regard for others” (Harding, “The Person in the Image of Self”). Alfie’s relationship with the married woman, Ruby embodies a relationship that is a social contract, because both individuals give mutual consent to mutually take advantage of one another, therefore in their relationship they “never mentions love, as she knows what she wants and she’s gonna get it” (Alfie). Alfie and Ruby are objectifying each other, because they both believe they have the right over one’s body to do whatever, because of their mutual consent to take mutual advantage. Therefore, they are acting accordingly in a way, in which they use the others’ body merely as an object for their own rational self-interest. This contrasts to the Catholic Intellectual tradition, as the human body is constitutive of personhood, therefore it shares in the dignity of being created in the image of God. The human body can never be used as a mere instrument or object and therefore cannot be used as a means to an end, such as in the manner Alfie and Ruby use one another’s bodies for their personal happiness and self-interest (Harding, “Interior Dimension of the Human Person”). Alfie and Ruby relationship coincides with Ayn Rand’s philosophy of rational self-interest “with his own happiness as the moral purposed of his life.” Therefore, both Ruby and Alfie are only concerned for the pleasure and self-seeking advantage for themselves, even if it means neglecting at the expense of others (Harding, “Different Views on Moral Truth and Freedom”). For example, Ruby who decides to sleep with a younger man, when Alfie becomes too old for her and therefore not a “business profit” for her anymore embodies the principles of Rand’s