[Slutter McGee]

What do you guys think of the philosophy of egoism? I guess there are several tennants. The idea that everyone acts in their own best interest....or that everyone should act in their own best interest...as long as it does not violate the equal rights of others to do the same. I like this philosophy, as it seems to mesh well with capitalism. But it also seems to have its flaws. Like altruism. What is it? Some egoists might claim that altruism is acting in your own self-interest, emotionally, because of the good feeling that you gain when doing it. This might make sense, but it is neither provable nor disprovable. Give me your opinions.

Sincerely,

Slutter McGee

[TheBagman]

Kinda like Satanism?

[TacoSusio]

i could give you my opinion but it wouldn't make me feel any better about myself, so i won't.

[Slutter McGee]

Originally Posted by TheBagman

Kinda like Satanism?

not straight up hedonism. Ayn Rand sort of took up egoism with her ideas of objectivism. She said that man should act in their rational self interest but they dont. What I find interesting is the view that men always do act in their own self interest, or at least what they view is their own self interest. I can only think of several problems with this. Altruism, which can be explained. And addiction.

Sincerely,

Slutter McGee

[The_Kelzor]

well if you believe that addiction is a mental/physical disorder then it really poses no problem to egoism....all men act toward their own best interest implies "all mentally/physically capable men" even so, egoism is an individualistic concept...people act toward what they personally percieve to be in their best interests...whether that means going to church so they go to heaven, being nice to people so they will be popular, or chasing that next rock of crack so they will feel good...

[Slutter McGee]

Originally Posted by The_Kelzor

well if you believe that addiction is a mental/physical disorder then it really poses no problem to egoism....all men act toward their own best interest implies "all mentally/physically capable men" even so, egoism is an individualistic concept...people act toward what they personally percieve to be in their best interests...whether that means going to church so they go to heaven, being nice to people so they will be popular, or chasing that next rock of crack so they will feel good...

exactly. rational choice theory. so what is so morally wrong with this idea?

Sincerely,

Slutter McGee

[taco]

The majority of human beings are too stupid to truly understand what their best interests are. People tend to live a profligate short term existence rather than plan for their future.

[TheBagman]

Originally Posted by taco

The majority of human beings are too stupid to truly understand what their best interests are.

I think we naturally aren't that way, for the most part. I think governments have bred that in our society so they can keep up the facade of us needing them. If we realized that we really didn't need them, they would be out a job and a whole lot of power so it of their best interest to keep the reliance of government up.

[modest moose]

In the interest of time, I will return to this idea later...

[TheBagman]

From the book "The Wealth of Nations"... fuckin' awesome book.

Originally Posted by Adam Smith

It is not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer, or the baker, that we expect our dinner, but from regard to their own interest. We address ourselves, not to their humanity but to their self-love, and never talk to them of our own necessities but of their advantages. Nobody but a beggar chooses to depend chiefly upon the benevolence of his fellow citizens.

[The_Kelzor]

Originally Posted by taco

The majority of human beings are too stupid to truly understand what their best interests are. People tend to live a profligate short term existence rather than plan for their future.

whether or not this is true is irrelevant....people obviously do not always do what is best for them...they are only do what they think is best for them, what they want for themselves...and your critique of the human species is really only a cultural one...for example, in America, most people spend way more than they earn, but in Japan, people tend to save like 75% of their earnings.

[Slutter McGee]

Originally Posted by The_Kelzor

whether or not this is true is irrelevant....people obviously do not always do what is best for them...they are only do what they think is best for them, what they want for themselves...and your critique of the human species is really only a cultural one...for example, in America, most people spend way more than they earn, but in Japan, people tend to save like 75% of their earnings.

But, you can make an argument that man does not even do what he thinks would be best for him. An army buddy diving on a live gernade to save his buddies. What is in his own self interest?

Sincerely,

Slutter McGee