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Altruism

I know far and away the most about myself and my preferences, and much less about those of other people. So I'm in the best position to help myself.

If someone can justify to me why helping them with something is worthwhile, then there is no need for altruism: trade will suffice.

If I like and value someone, say an excellent philosopher, and I give him money because I want to help him to write more, that is charity but it is not altruism: I'm doing it because I want to support things I value.

When it comes down to it, to be truly altruistic an action cannot benefit me. It means doing things I have no incentive to do; no matter how well I do them, my life will not improve.

-- Elliot Temple
curi@curi.us
Dialogs

by Elliot Temple on Mon, 04/23/2007 - 23:31

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