Saturday, December 15, 2007
Everybody is Selfish
It is not yet another Ayn Rand type argument that selfishness is a virtue. I am saying that a person can not be unselfish. Every person takes the decision that makes him more happy. e.g. There is no such thing as sacrifice. A person sacrifices because he would be less happy if he doesn't. Similarly, a person works for others only because he becomes more happy by working for others than working for himself. To conclude, I would say that any option has by default alternative of not choosing that option; a person chooses an option because not choosing that option makes him less happy.
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6 comments:
for a change it seems like a sensible arguement this time from you..
Perfect argument.
However, the question again boils down to the definition of the word.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/selfish
will tell you
self·ish /ˈsɛlfɪʃ/ –adjective 1. devoted to or caring only for oneself; concerned primarily with one's own interests, benefits, welfare, etc., regardless of others.
2. characterized by or manifesting concern or care only for oneself
So, one who is 'not' selfish does things that benifit others too. It is not a necessary condition that to be selfish, the concern you show or the good you do for others needs to harm you in some way, or make you unhappy.
A selfish person will not care for others, a selfless person will. Period. Selflessness often results in some 'sacrifice', money, fame etc. at the cost of making yourself happy, while doing good for others.
The important question is: "What is the motive of a so called "selfless" person, when he cares about others?" What will happen to him if he stops caring?
i like the "To conclude" coming after 3 lines of argument :)
FS to coeus!
Fundamental definition of selfishness is wrong. it doesn't mean making oneself happy. it means caring only for oneself. which is an entirely different kettle of (sel)fish.
One small modification.. The motive behind making a choice (or not making it!) is the expectation to be happy.. Whether the choice makes him happy in hindsight is uncertain..
I think selfishness (in Lindow's sense) is not a virtue or a vice.. It is just an axiom that cannot be proven through deduction but only through inductive logic..
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