Are you selfish because you do things that are in your own interest ? No problem here, everybody does, it’s intelligent.
Or are you selfish because you are chiefly concerned about yourself at the expense of others ? Hint : You’re a bastard if you choose this option
I’m sick of the selfish label. If you’re doing something at the expense of others, well, yes, you’re a selfish bastard, but if you’re just making decisions and choices based on your best interests, you’re normal.
It depends how broad you are going to be in your consideration of what you are prepared to do because it may eventually benefit you at some point.
For example, you might decide that you won’t ever lend money (because you’re a tight-fisted selfish bastard), but if you don’t lend money, people might be reluctant to help you out when you are a bit short of cash. There are plenty of other areas where you have to sacrifice a little selfishness now for the possibility of enjoying a little more later.
I’ve heard it argued that altruism is impossible (I don’t believe it, but it’s a common belief) - if this is true, then you are just being honest about your motives, you honest selfish bastard!
Mangetout got it. The reason I don’t do evil things is fear of the consequences. I don’t steal because it makes life harder, and isn’t worth it. The fact that it’s someone else’s money doesn’t enter into it. My reasoning is be a mostly good person because logically, it provides the most comfort for least effort. I don’t do it because it’s right, I do it because it helps me.
Ah, but Mangetout, in order for robertliguori’s self-indulgent side to gain the “security” of extra income through stealing, would he not have to jeopardize that very security by risking being caught and thrown in jail?
