VVV wrote, “I think Dostoyevsky had the definitive statement of the “do-gooder’s” real intentions and motivations in “The Grand Inquisitor” segment of “The Brothers Karamazov”.
In a Russian context, I can see how these insights drove Dostoyevsky toward the Orthodox Church as the solution to Russia’s problems. In an American context, libertarianism is the appropriate response, I agree.”
Wasn’t Alyosha a do-gooder? What I remember from the Grand Inquisitor scene is when he (as a representative of the Church) told Jesus to get lost, that he was not needed.
I think that Dostoyevsky respected and admired to some degree sincere do-gooders like Alyosha and Sonia (in C&P,) but did not like hypocritical or dense do-gooders like Lebeziatnikov (also in C&P). I don’t think that Dostoyevsky cared all that much for capitalists, either, especially those who were enamored of their own accomplishments.
And then there is Svidrigailov
