The Virtue of Selfishness
My beliefs and, to the best of my ability, my actions are situated in the libertarian perspective. Individuals know best what he or she needs, and governments exist to protect our basic rights, lower transaction costs (specifically reducing the cost of information), and provide security. Further, the writings of Adam Smith and [clearly] Ayn Rand influence me on a daily basis, specifically with respect to selfish motives.
Adam Smith, in the Wealth of Nations, discusses how through selfish motivation to better his own situation, the productive worker will see the necessity to better his community in order to reach his maximum potential. That is, you may have a great business selling goods desired by everyone for miles around, however without the success of others in the community, no one will be able to afford whatever your store peddles. Rand makes similar arguments (more convincingly through her fiction, but also in the book with the same title as this post).
What I take from this moral hierarchy I've created for myself is that self-promotion is not evil, rather it's necessary and good, PROVIDED, that when acting in "selfish" pursuits make sure to not infringe on other people's rights or knock people off the "ladder"...basically play fair kids.
Lately, I have noticed that so many people are jerks. Jerks to servers/bartenders, jerks to all service people in general, or just the general notion of "I am [insert name] and rules don't apply to me." There are general rules of common decency that need to be followed to ensure basic order and some sense of society.
I see people violating the most basic and EASY rules of "Oh...I guess we are all humans sharing this space...I'll not be an asshole." Thoughtlessness. It's disgusting. Almost every time I hold a door open for someone who's hands are full, or just because I got there first, and it's polite...people are shocked. Really? Shocked? It's little things like this, that I see my friends NOT DOING. I'm not perfect, and I'm not the moral-politeness police...but come on people. Have a thought in your head that isn't just about you. Try it.
In summary...I'm selfish, but I try to be conscious of others. I always look out for "number 1", but not at the cost of others (at least never on purpose). I say please and thank you, but not just when I'm having a good day. I stop for pedestrians and bike-riders in crosswalks, and not just when I'm not late to work. It's not hard, but it does take thought and a little bit of effort...but no more effort than it takes to swear under your breath or wave an extended finger. I'm not the first person to say this, but I've now said it.
Stop being such jerks.
Adam Smith, in the Wealth of Nations, discusses how through selfish motivation to better his own situation, the productive worker will see the necessity to better his community in order to reach his maximum potential. That is, you may have a great business selling goods desired by everyone for miles around, however without the success of others in the community, no one will be able to afford whatever your store peddles. Rand makes similar arguments (more convincingly through her fiction, but also in the book with the same title as this post).
What I take from this moral hierarchy I've created for myself is that self-promotion is not evil, rather it's necessary and good, PROVIDED, that when acting in "selfish" pursuits make sure to not infringe on other people's rights or knock people off the "ladder"...basically play fair kids.
Lately, I have noticed that so many people are jerks. Jerks to servers/bartenders, jerks to all service people in general, or just the general notion of "I am [insert name] and rules don't apply to me." There are general rules of common decency that need to be followed to ensure basic order and some sense of society.
I see people violating the most basic and EASY rules of "Oh...I guess we are all humans sharing this space...I'll not be an asshole." Thoughtlessness. It's disgusting. Almost every time I hold a door open for someone who's hands are full, or just because I got there first, and it's polite...people are shocked. Really? Shocked? It's little things like this, that I see my friends NOT DOING. I'm not perfect, and I'm not the moral-politeness police...but come on people. Have a thought in your head that isn't just about you. Try it.
In summary...I'm selfish, but I try to be conscious of others. I always look out for "number 1", but not at the cost of others (at least never on purpose). I say please and thank you, but not just when I'm having a good day. I stop for pedestrians and bike-riders in crosswalks, and not just when I'm not late to work. It's not hard, but it does take thought and a little bit of effort...but no more effort than it takes to swear under your breath or wave an extended finger. I'm not the first person to say this, but I've now said it.
Stop being such jerks.