Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeffrey
Pel, very interesting you used Rand because I thought of her when writing this post.
Your example, is one self-interest consideration supporting another. The end result is still selfishness, and a long ways from Matthew 5-7, which Rand would spit on as stripping man from all that is virtuous.
(Ironic story how Rand's life unfolded by the way) |
She certainly isn't the paragon of virtue, but as a modern philosopher she had some compelling thoughts and was influential.
But I disagree about your
Matthew 5-7, complaint (and I'd rather not speculate on the expectorations of dead 20th century writers). Also, we must be careful to observe the instructions of
Matthew 7:1-5.
The ultimate goal of those seeking to observe the teachings from the Sermon on the Mount is not only to be a "good tree, bearing good fruit..." but to also be the "house that fell not because it was founded upon the rock..."
To accomplish both goals we need to be a little bit "selfish" - in a very enlightened manner. Altruism itself is a "selfish" means toward a "selfish" goal. To be truly
selfless I think one has to be a bit selfish.
It all just depends upon the goals in mind. Remember the very similar statements Jesus made in the Sermon on the Plain (
Luke 6:17-49). Is the "giver" in
Luke 6:38 being generous or selfish?
"Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again."
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