Hello MikeMarotta,

I remember at the beginning of TVOS the fine point placed upon the definition of selfishness. It is best to define terms. I quite agree with the problem of sloppy language and Branden does provide some qualifiers like at the end of essay 5 where it is stated that “A genuine selfishness---that is: a genuine concern with discovering what is to one’s self interest, an acceptance of the responsibility of achieving it, a refusal ever to betray it by acting on blind whim, mood, impulse or feeling of the moment, an uncompromising loyalty to one’s judgment, convictions and values—represents a profound moral achievement. Those who assert that “everyone is selfish” commonly intend their statement as an expression of cynicism and contempt. But the truth is that their statement pays mankind a compliment it does not deserve.” Nathaniel Branden TVOS essay 5

Now here is my answer: I do not suggest everyone is selfish because of an expression of cynicism or contempt. Some selfishness is admirable while other forms are contemptible. This is not to say that selfishness cannot be a virtue. I am not trying to pay an undeserved compliment. I am saying that even altruists (although they are wrong) believe they are doing what is in their own self interest, accept the responsibility of achieving it, that they, in their minds are not acting on blind whim but reason, albeit upon shaky metaphysics and epistemology. They believe in a reward of some sort, in this life or the next, for their deeds and thus are acting in their perceived self interest. They believe and reason that it is in their long term interest. They are selfish, but not in an admirable way or as defined by objectivist doctrine.

I have reviewed both essays and I find them wanting. Where is the example of the totally selfless person? I am still waiting for this mystery person who I cannot ascribe selfish motivations for their actions… Now, if you only accept those examples of selfishness which are based upon accepted objectivist ethics and are truly beneficial long term, then yes some are not “selfish” but would you argue that no one acts selfishly because their perception of reality is incorrect?

I have studied much philosophy. I do not call myself an objectivist. I am a student of Objectivism, but I am not doctrinaire. Objectivism in my opinion is the most overall defensible on logical grounds, but it is not beyond question on all fronts.

“An individualist is, foremost, a man of reason. It is upon the ability to think, upon his rational faculty, that man’s life depends; rationality is the precondition of independence and self-reliance. An “individualist” who is neither independent nor self-reliant, is a contradiction in terms; individualism and independence are logically inseparable. The basic independence of the individualist consists of his loyalty to his own mind; it is his perception of the facts of reality, his understanding, his judgment, that he refuses to sacrifice to the unproved assertions of others. That is the meaning of intellectual independence—and that is the essence of an individualist. He is dispassionately and intransigently fact centered.” Nathaniel Brandon TVOS essay 18

Here I would suggest that the perception of the facts of reality among some are based upon poor metaphysics but that does not mean one is not selfish or that in their mind they have not weighed the “facts” as they perceive them. Do some people act upon whim, mood, or impulse? Certainly, but I find that a specious argument to determine that such a person is devoid of selfishness.

If we define our terms in a very narrow way as defined by Rand we can say that not everyone is selfish, but we must assume we know the thought process or lack thereof of those in question.

“Everyone, whether he be plowman or banker, clerk or captain, citizen or ruler, is, in a real sense, a philosopher. Being human, having a highly developed brain and nervous system, he must think; and thinking is the pathway to philosophy…
Your philosophy, then, is the meaning which the world has for you. It is your answer to the question, “Why?” Having fitted your experiences into a whole, having related them to each other, you say of the world, “This is the way things fit together. This is the world as I understand it. This is my philosophy.” S. E. FROST, JR., Ph.D. Basic Teachings Of The Great Philosophers

Respectfully,
O.A.