Thread: Utilitarianism

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE("pj&#39</div>

I think where this is going astray is in mistaking an idea, "objectivism", with a concisely defined philosophy, "Objectivism". My originally bringing Objectivism into the discussion was specifically to introduce the idea of Rational Selfishness[/b]

Rational Selfishness:
Without a perfect formula for perspective, this is almost unachievable for man. Do you think?

Originally Posted by Howietzer

Rational Selfishness:
Without a perfect formula for perspective, this is almost unachievable for man. Do you think?[/b]

Not at all.

It all comes down to a simple question; are you free or slave? In other words, who owns you?

If you are free, then you are the ultimate authority and the the one ultimately responsible for your life. Freedom itself is what grants you that authority. The very state of BEING not only makes it achievable but inevitable.

The extreme opposite of this might appear to be self-sacrifice, but it really isn&#39;t. As you are the one assigning and recognizing value, what you choose to invest and ultimately expend your life on or for still comes down to what you perceive as valuable. If reducing suffering around you happens to be of value to you, then the argument ends there... for YOU. Your choice does not beholden me to support your values or choices, nor mandate my joining in your sacrifice.

Again... the moment anybody other than you imposes their choices on you, you are no longer free. And the moment you try to impose your choices on me, you have gone from being associate to enemy - from being one I associate with by choice in my freedom to one I must contend with as a threat to my liberty.

Having said all this, I need to add that I (and others like me) have chosen to use our freedom in service to God. This is very different from somebody imposing, coercing or otherwise forcing their faith on me. This is how I am able to call myself a Christian while espousing many of the tenets and precepts of Objectivism.