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Politics : Right Wing Extremist Thread -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Father Terrence who wrote (13346)	7/29/2001 9:04:02 AM
From: Neocon	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 59480

A common fallacy is to note that regardless of the object of our affection, it is still the case that we react to an inner prompting, and thus to label all motivation as self- interested. The issue is not, however, whether or not we are affected, but whether we care only about what happens to us, or care also about others, and therefore there remains a meaningful distinction between selfishness and disinterested regard for others. Now, the fallacy with altruism is to make the moral worth of an action hang on whether or not it is done for others, as if we do not count too. Selfishness is not acting on our own behalf, it is doing so in an imbalanced way, to the neglect of the claims of others. As a reaction against altruism, the idea that selfishness, or egoism, is moral, because one refuses to be a victim, but stands up proudly for one's inner values, is also deficient, since we are not the only actors on life's stage, nor even the lead in many scenes, and there is no reason to suppose that we count that much more than others. If the idea behind morality is to regulate behavior according to a recognizable principle, then the dignity of the individual, not only oneself, but others, not only others, but oneself, is a good place to start. If we have a claim on others, it can only be in terms of mutual respect, in recognition of their claim on us. When I mention altruism I do not primarily mean sentiments of generosity or solidarity or sympathy, I mean the ethical doctrine first articulated by Auguste Comte that the moral worth of an action is determined by its selflessness. Nor am I much interested in the mechanics of learning to appreciate the situation of others, although I agree that one has to develop qualities of imagination and sympathy, because what is important is the underlying principle. Selfishness is inadequate because it is makes arbitrary demands on others. Altruism is insufficient because it allows others a "blank check" to make arbitrary demands on you, as if your destiny is irrelevant. The principle of respecting the dignity of the individual, balancing one's own interests against the various claims others may make on our time and resources, provides a guideline for one's behavior in society........

To: Father Terrence who wrote (13346)	7/29/2001 9:08:57 AM
From: Neocon	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 59480

The affirmation of the principle is my main focus. Both selfishness and altruism negate the principle. I am using the coined term for a reason, and calling it bad, not good. It is praiseworthy to transcend one's circumstances and succeed against odds, just as it is praiseworthy to lend a helping hand to others. It is censurable to waste one's gifts (the parable of the talents?, the prodigal son?), just as it is censurable to turn a blind eye to a suffering stranger. In my scheme, a deed which improves the lot of someone else and happens to do one some good is even better than a purely selfless act, so there is no problem with charity that is supposed to benefit one spiritually, as long as the principle that the other person counts too is honored. I am less interested in the difficulty of untangling motivation than in the general idea that we care about others as well as ourselves. Sometimes we are enthusiastic about acknowledging their due, or succoring their need, and sometimes we are grudging, but in each case we recognize that we are upholding the dignity of the individual, and thus "objectivizing" our value as well as theirs, that is, treating claims of value and respect as universal, so that we give recognition even as we ask for it. I am content, for the moment, to lay aside whether it is in fact objective. Right at the moment, I merely want to suggest that we, as social creatures, have an interest in articulating rules to govern social intercourse, and that this is the most fundamental rule that we can generate.

To: Father Terrence who wrote (13346)	7/29/2001 9:38:52 AM
From: Neocon	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 59480

Man cannot fulfill himself except as a member of the community, which provides the opportunity for achievement, whether business, scholarly, artistic, or other. Human dignity is pursued within community, and government subsists to establish the basic framework of laws and institutions that enables both individual and corporate action. The guiding principle of moral action is the promotion of human dignity, which is mainly pursued through voluntary action in a well- constructed polity. After all, the idea of human dignity involves a substantial degree of autonomy. However, there are matters that are of such crucial importance that guaranteeing them becomes a function of government, like ensuring against sheer destitution. We do not want such a matter subject to the vagaries of private charity, there should be a floor limiting how fair we will allow our fellow citizens to go. (On the other hand, those capable of work should be required to do so, or to pursue educational goals allowing for a return to employment.)