CompuServe Messages

John: /_______________________From your message________________________\\ This isn't going anywhere. __________________________________________________________________ I didn't realize it had to. <G> /_______________________From your message________________________\\ Can you sum up your position on altruism in say a paragraph. __________________________________________________________________ I've already summed it up by quoting one line, "I swear by my life and love of it that I will live for the sake of no man and ask no man to live for the sake of mine." I really think I've adequately described my views and my understanding of Rand's views on the subject of altruism. Perhaps a few questions will help: Is it moral to serve the happiness of others, but not your own? If you are selfless and virtuous for giving away that which you value, are not those who accept these things selfish and viscious? Is it immoral to consume your own product, but moral to consume the products of others? Is it immoral to earn but moral to mooch? NO! is how I would answer all of these questions. For one to believe that altruism is a good thing one must be able to answer this question, "Why MUST I live for the sake of others?" (However, if you answer this one with, "Well, I don't really have to, I have a choice in the matter. I mean there's no gun to my head, no promise of eternal damnation or anybody that can make me feel guilty if I don't live for the sake of others," then we've reached common ground as benevolent, yet non-altruistic, members of society.) Bob