Is selfishness really a bad thing?
Posted by edweaver 10 years, 4 months ago to Philosophy
Another post got me thinking about the subject of selfishness. It seems to me that everything that a person does of their own free will is for their own interest or selfish. I would love to hear what others think.
http://www.atlassociety.org/as/virtue-an...
Also, earlier in the presentation, Mr. Thomas asks the question, "Do Objectivists (those espousing selfishness) behave differently from other people (ostensibly those espousing altruism since the religious would be included)?" Since the answer seems to be "no" then if they are behaving similarly, by have a "different" ethos, then there seems to be something wrong - or maybe they really are the same? And if an Objectivist can donate to a worthy cause, and an altruist also donate to the same worthy cause, are they any different?
Thank you for posting this. It seems to be making my point for me.
"He generally, indeed, neither intends to promote public interest, nor knows how much he is promoting by directing its produce he intends only his own gain, and he is in this, as in many other cases, led by an invisible hand to promote an end which was no part of his intention. Nor is it always the worse for the society that it was no part of it. By pursuing his own interest he frequently promotes that of the society more effectually than when he really intends to promote it."
Since this is the Gulch, Ms Rand made this world a better place by pursuing her own self interest.
A little wet but still a beautiful day, carpe diem
That is true selfishness. It does not entail taking advantage of someone else for your own gain. Just the opposite, in fact. It involves the moral principle that when I receive value, I give value back--I am that selfish! As Shakespeare said, To thine ownself be true: it must needs follow as night the day, thou cans't not then be false to any man. I am that selfish.