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Politics : Sharks in the Septic Tank

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To: Neocon who wrote (60125)9/27/2002 5:57:00 PM
From: The Philosopher  Read Replies (1) of 82486
 
Only sociopaths
act exclusively out of self- interest.


I don't think that's the distinction.

I think everybody acts out of what they perceive to be their self-interest.

It's just that sociopaths lack the ability to recognize that their self interest goes beyond their present self-desire. They're unable to distinguish between legitimate long-term best interest and immediate self-desire.

The mature person recognozes that saving money toward a new car is better than spending it now on a toy they really don't need. It may seem to be against self-interest to deprive yourself of a toy you want, but in fact it's balancing immediate desires against long-term best interests.

Most of us who are parents believe it's in our self-interest to sacrifice for the benefit of our children. That's a biologically based imperative. And it makes us feel good, which we like.

So I think the sociopath and you and I and X and Jewel and everybody else here are alike in pursuing our self-interest. It's just in the range and scope of our ability to understand what our self-interest really is that we differ.
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