Ayn Rand - The Morality of Altruism

The Nazi's were not altruistic. They cared not for the greater good of mankind but the greater good for Germany and the Nazi agenda. Poor example. If everyone was like this woman, what kind of world would this be? If no one helped anyone, or failed to make sacrifices for each other, where would this world be?

In that case, the Nazis were perfectly altruistic..since they looted the rich but 'morally corrupt' nations of the west, while giving unselflishly to their own people. What did they care if this resulted in world conquest? It was for a "good" cause! Kill the jews, so the aryans may live!

And yes, if everyone was as universally selfish as Ayn Rand, we would live in a much happier world, where no one was sacrificed for no one and everyone would be judged after their ability, and not their need.

goash, i'm such a fan. she is fierce..

What a cunt.

666'th view. sweet.

The problem is that the altruist always has ulterior motives in his self sacrifice. The best way to help your fellow man is to help yourself without hurting him in the process. Just look at the school systems and what she says makes perfect sense. In an effort to help the worst student, we have in set the bar low and in fact held ourselves back. Altruist tend to not have much faith in the resilience of the human spirit.

I can appreciate that, but the persistence of altruism will always germinate ANOTHER form of selfish egotism EVERY time. The type that tells you that you are somehow morally superior to others, and thereby especially inclined to tell others who to be, how to be, and, ultimately, to tell them to be more like YOU!
Vanity returns, and no one deserves to push you off that pedestal, because YOU are ALWAYS RIGHT! And how dare others demur? How dare they, when YOU have the moral high ground? YOU!

QuartuvLarry-"...the persistence of altruism will always germinate ANOTHER form of selfish egotism EVERY time. The type that tells you that you are somehow morally superior to others..."
Again, this fails the test of altruism. People who help others because they consider themselves to be morally superior are not altruistic; they are arrogant.

Yes, in many ways, very true. In others, not so much. Altruism is NOT the ultimate test of morality. Remember that! So went the path of Judaism until Christ. The Pharisees were most proud of themselves. That, and beyond. It goes to show that even altruism warrants vigilance. This is why a religious institution can not stand in the presence of God. Rand is not the ultimate authority upon the subject, but who can say she wasn't also a messenger, in some form or other, to warn us of ourselves?

yeah, she clinged to minarchy to the bitter end. So did I though. Government hadn't failed as much back then to shake people out of it.