I wrote this in my journal 2 years ago...

[Anonymous]

"A man for himself and a man for all. Can there really be a compromise between the two? Think about it, you either live or you die. To me its asking to live for the sake of living or only to live for the idealization of life in others. Even partially dedicating your interests in the cause of something other than yourself, is essentially giving your life away. True sacrifice. There is no compromise. It doesn't exist. Again, you're either living or a walking corpse with no will. I wish to live which entitles I choose to live only for myself.

I think it's very simple. The other option isn't even practical. Eliminate the reason to live and we will only all fall down. A walking mass of unthinking flesh, if you will. "

Even though I have had many changes in my perspective, I don't think I can disagree with this. Sure, I am not very clear in my definition of selfishness but I think you get the picture. A bit Rand-esque but I am not ashamed.

Any thoughts?

Do you have any journal entries from years gone by?

[Anonymous]

To put things in perspective, I consider gifts and love in general as very selfish things. Donating to a charity can be extremely selfish.

[FreeMoney]

To put things in perspective, I consider gifts and love in general as very selfish things. Donating to a charity can be extremely selfish.

I agree. I think people who claim selflessness in anything are lying (rare) or very confused (common). 

[Timo Y]

It's not that black and white in my opinion. It's good to be rational, but ignore your emotions at your peril.

Kin selection in evolutionary psychology may have wired our brain in such a way that we experience happiness when we sacrifice ourselves for the good of the tribe. Possibly a kind of happiness that is difficult to achieve in any other way.

If someone's aim in life is happiness, whatever that means to them, it can be a perfectly rational choice to engage in materially selfless acts such as volunteering in homes for disabled orphans, or finding a cure for AIDS. It doesn't even need to be done publicly, although that has the added benefit of reciprocated social status.

Ultimately it does serve a selfish purpose of course - to improve one's own happiness.  I see no contradiction or "lack of integrity" in that.  If it works for you, go for it!

[lumos]

To put things in perspective, I consider gifts and love in general as very selfish things. Donating to a charity can be extremely selfish.

I agree. I think people who claim selflessness in anything are lying (rare) or very confused (common). 

this is only indicative of the way YOU think

[Distribution]

Are the two mutually exclusive? Doesn't a man living in his best interest ultimately impact all of man? And doesn't a man benefiting all of mankind ultimately benefit himself? I could say by starting a business to make lots of money, leveraging the labor of employees, treating them right (good cheese comes from happy cows), and providing something people want, makes us all profit.

[Anonymous]

Are the two mutually exclusive? Doesn't a man living in his best interest ultimately impact all of man? And doesn't a man benefiting all of mankind ultimately benefit himself? I could say by starting a business to make lots of money, leveraging the labor of employees, treating them right (good cheese comes from happy cows), and providing something people want, makes us all profit.

Nope, I agree.