I like that response. It was very well thought out and makes me think.... much better than Rand's writings.
I think Rand would disagree that taking care of ourselves is not selfish. One of her better books is called "The Virtue of Selfishness" (which, I must admit, I enjoyed). But she would say that being selfish isn't a bad thing in the way "we" tend to think that it is.
As you say, it is imperative that we provide a base level of self-nourishment. I've always admired Abraham Maslow's theory of self-actualization, which you may or may not be referencing. And in that context, yes, I do think it's important to devote much time to one's self-development. As you say, the only person we can control is ourselves, and if that's so we should try to shape ourselves as best possible.
And I also agree that hypocrisy is a definite problem in the world, particular in the West and even more so in America. I could cite any number of religious or political leaders, but you know what I mean, so I won't.
Where I take issue with you and with Rand is your opening line: "People pretend to act for the benefit of others while they are surreptitiously manipulating circumstances to suit themselves." In some cases, this is incredibly true (again, those leaders I could name). But where Rand and I differ is here: I think some people act in a kind manner to benefit themselves, but not all people, and I don't think this is moral. Rand, on the other hand, specifically ENCOURAGES us to act altruistically only if it is to benefit ourselves, which I find highly immoral.
Perhaps ironically, I have always been a fan of Nietzsche, who argued a similar line of reasoning: that we must harness our will to achieve our inner strengths and make ourselves great. But Rand goes further and says we must do so at the expense of others. I don't support hurting people to get ahead (no matter how "necessary") and I don't support capitalism, which she saw as the highest form of goodness.
Is it any more right to be altruistic because we "should" than to be egoistic because we "should"? I would argue that whichever path leads more effectively to greater happiness for all is the proper path to follow.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2008-04-08 04:56 am (UTC)I think Rand would disagree that taking care of ourselves is not selfish. One of her better books is called "The Virtue of Selfishness" (which, I must admit, I enjoyed). But she would say that being selfish isn't a bad thing in the way "we" tend to think that it is.
As you say, it is imperative that we provide a base level of self-nourishment. I've always admired Abraham Maslow's theory of self-actualization, which you may or may not be referencing. And in that context, yes, I do think it's important to devote much time to one's self-development. As you say, the only person we can control is ourselves, and if that's so we should try to shape ourselves as best possible.
And I also agree that hypocrisy is a definite problem in the world, particular in the West and even more so in America. I could cite any number of religious or political leaders, but you know what I mean, so I won't.
Where I take issue with you and with Rand is your opening line: "People pretend to act for the benefit of others while they are surreptitiously manipulating circumstances to suit themselves." In some cases, this is incredibly true (again, those leaders I could name). But where Rand and I differ is here: I think some people act in a kind manner to benefit themselves, but not all people, and I don't think this is moral. Rand, on the other hand, specifically ENCOURAGES us to act altruistically only if it is to benefit ourselves, which I find highly immoral.
Perhaps ironically, I have always been a fan of Nietzsche, who argued a similar line of reasoning: that we must harness our will to achieve our inner strengths and make ourselves great. But Rand goes further and says we must do so at the expense of others. I don't support hurting people to get ahead (no matter how "necessary") and I don't support capitalism, which she saw as the highest form of goodness.
Is it any more right to be altruistic because we "should" than to be egoistic because we "should"? I would argue that whichever path leads more effectively to greater happiness for all is the proper path to follow.