Final answer:
Andrew Carnegie believed business success was due to hard work, ingenuity, and luck. He felt the wealthy had a duty to use their fortunes for social good, as outlined in 'The Gospel of Wealth'. Carnegie's principles reflect key aspects of American identity, including the value of self-improvement and philanthropy.
Step-by-step explanation:
Andrew Carnegie believed that success in business was a combination of hard work, ingenuity, and a bit of luck. In the ethos of the time, his own rise from a modest background to becoming a leading steel tycoon epitomized the 'rags-to-riches' narrative acclaimed in American capitalism. Social Darwinism, highly popular in the era, implied that the most capable and fit individuals would naturally rise to the top, just as in natural selection. Carnegie's story of success, involving direct involvement in every aspect of steel production and strategic control of associated resources, reflected not just talent but a keen understanding of the business landscape.
The concept advanced by Carnegie's 'The Gospel of Wealth' emphasizes the responsibility of the wealthy to use their fortune to enrich society. His philanthropic activities included funding libraries, colleges, and the arts as a way to pay forward the opportunities he had been given. This not only served as a counteraction to the stark competition and individualism inherent in his business practices but also laid the foundation for his vision of a benevolent elite contributing to the public good.
Carnegie's life and ideology also accentuated an important aspect of the American identity: the belief in the ability to elevate oneself through ambition and effort, coupled with a sense of duty to contribute to the larger community upon attaining wealth.