That's your view, and you're welcome to it. It's like asking someone the difference between practical and pragmatic (there IS a difference). Nobody seems to get the difference, but it is there, it is evident, and if you care about proper usage and terminology, then you have to accept it.
Similarly, I make that point with selfish and self-interested. The or makes a huge difference. Regardless if selfishness is a pejorative term, it is clear (as I pointed out) that altruism is a simple, selfish, activity. Yet it isn't considered selfish. Whereas selfish (as you said) is a pejorative, altruism is not. So what? I don't care to split hairs on what people commonly believe and what the truth is.
While you are willing to accept the banality that selfishness is purely an individualistic behavior trait, I don't. Selfishness is a funny thing. If I can improve my bargaining position by giving you $1000 (so that I might have more power or a bigger payoff later), my selfish behavior is not immediately seen as such. I am seen as being benevolent and sharing. If the payoff comes much later, it is likely that the purely selfish original act is still not clearly apparent. It is likely that I am still considered benevolent and caring. However, the motivations are still selfish.
Webster's definition supports my claims. So does everyday behavior. The willingness of the population to recognize these facts as they are is not my concern. Someday they will. Or they won't and will forever be bending to my whims because I can always use someone's selfishness against them, since they don't recognize it as selfishness. (How do you think Communists have convinced people that their views are SO RIGHT in a moral sense?) |
