Re: Is Selfishness Compatible with Kindness?
Posted: June 12th, 2012, 2:39 pm
I think that this issue is best clarified in the Nathaniel Branden article "Isn't every body selfish?" I which I strongly recommend to read, it could positively contribute to the discussion. http://www.naturalthinker.net/trl/texts ... Toc6821586
You premise is that selfishness could be irrational, that is-man can act mindlessly in order to promote his best interests. But this is contradiction in terms. As for kindness-it is a form of value-trade. To be able to engage in such a trade man first has to recognize his own value, in other words he has to be selfish. Selflessness means valuelessness and by definition contradicts the concept of kindness.
You premise is that selfishness could be irrational, that is-man can act mindlessly in order to promote his best interests. But this is contradiction in terms. As for kindness-it is a form of value-trade. To be able to engage in such a trade man first has to recognize his own value, in other words he has to be selfish. Selflessness means valuelessness and by definition contradicts the concept of kindness.