Commenter “L Raj” said, in comment #4: “Caring for others makes us human. If we looked after only ourselves and had nothing but contempt for the weaker sections of society, how would we call ourselves any better than “animals” ? Remember, you were also unproductive once – as a child and will become unproductive again when you retire.”
No, being a rational animal makes us human. And without the ability to engage in “selective focus” that reason (and its concomitant, volition) allows, we would not be able to have compassion for others, nor to care for others in a way that only humans can do. Other animals can care for another, but not in the same way or to the same depth as humans can.
Plus, being “selfish” does not mean being against others — if that is what you are implying. That is one theory of selfishness, yes, but it is not Rand’s. See http://www.aynrandlexicon.com/lexicon/selfishness.html. If you disagree with Rand, fine — you have that right — but those who do should disagree honestly. (I’m not saying you do disagree, L Raf; I do not know.)
You can “care for others” by caring only for others and trashing your self; by caring for the environment and trashing humanity; by caring for the “proletariat” and trashing self; by caring for God and trashing self…etc.
The Nazis and the Communists both cared for others over self. Research the issue yourself — calls for sacrifice and hate for “selfishness” filled their speeches and their ideology. And they practiced what they preached: they sacrificed millions: adult, child, male, female, of every race and creed.
America was founded on the idea that you had the right to your own life and mind: you were slave and vassal to no one, and no one was slave or vassal to you. You were free to pursue your own happiness, whatever that meant for you.
Now isn’t it interesting how, when people can be selfish and rational, they value other people, especially good coworkers, family, and friends??? Wow, who’d a thought…
Yes, when people are free to pursue their own interests, they fight for their friends, for their values — and they have the money and passion to do so. Look in Rand’s work and let her speak for herself on this issue: characters in her novels say they’d be willing to die for another or to die for an ideal…if I remember correctly.
–Michael
