contradictions and exceptions...

Posted by LeeCrites 11 years, 9 months ago to Philosophy
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I have been struck by what, to me, personally, are some contradictions in my personal philosophy, especially as it has to do with Ayn Rand and Atlas Shrugged. Here it is in a nutshell:

As an individual, I seek for my own best interests. I believe the John Galt line: "I swear by my life, and my love of it, that I will never live for the sake of another man, nor ask another man to live for mine."

As a Christian, I seek to do good to others, to give freely to help those in need. I could quote scriptures to show this doctrine, but those who are Christian already know it, and those who are not Christian probably already know it well enough.

I am NOT wanting religion bashing or "that's what you get for being stupid enough to believe" responses. What I am asking is for those who have this duality in their life, how do they, personally put the two together. I will respond with how I do it after submitting this.

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  • Posted by LetsShrug 11 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    His only goal was to make money. Only when Francisco came into the picture and pointed things out did he realize he was surrounded by bottom feeders and he was the one feeding them. Stop baiting me or start a new post/thread....
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  • Posted by Rocky_Road 11 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Hank Rearden does what he feels is in his best interest from page 1...he didn't build his empire thinking any other way.

    He evolves as to what he understands to be 'his best interest' through the novel...that is the plot.

    He never strays from working for his best interest, but he does redefine just what that is.

    You have to see this. Right?
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  • Posted by LetsShrug 11 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Thank you khalling :) but I'm not being understood and I don't have the energy for this right now.
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  • Posted by LetsShrug 11 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Irrational sense of duty...?? He'd feel guilty if he didn't cuz he has so much.???? He didn't say no because he wasn't concerned with his own self interest at the time and didn't realize he was the guiltiest man in the room. I'm done!
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  • Posted by Rocky_Road 11 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    His revelation does come later.

    At the time of the check writing, he does what he accepts as being in his best interest.

    Why would he do otherwise? He was free to say no....
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  • Posted by j_IR1776wg 11 years, 9 months ago
    If happiness is living up to one's values and you hold contradictory values, then by definition you can not be happy.

    The contradictions you describe (individual/christian) are the source of your discontent. You seem to be trying to put a square peg into a round hole.

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  • Posted by LetsShrug 11 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    But he had no reason too feel guilty in the first place and he was manipulated into funding other's causes as if he owed his earning to the parasites in his life. Grrrrrrr. I'm done!
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  • Posted by khalling 11 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    wait a minute. that act was done out of guilt for his his good fortune. not rational. not virtuous. in fact, in Hanks' words:
    "I rebelled against demands for an unearned wealth-but I thought it was my DUTY to grant an unearned respect to a mother who hated me, an UNEARNED support to a brother who plotted for my destruction."
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  • Posted by khalling 11 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    key here is "unselfish." what part of unattached to you or anything you stand for, just give me your artery and let me tap into it do you not understand about selfless?
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  • Posted by khalling 11 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Lee, there are people who are internationally known for their leadership. some deserve it, some manufacture their worth and are accepted. I am not speaking about you or any of those you discern
    virtuous. LS donates a not insignificant amount of talent with small children at the beginning of their journey. I imagine she has spent countless hours trying to have intellectual discussions with teachers at the primary level. You have shared some of your experiences being a leader. Maybe, LS, you could share a couple of stories, to give Lee an idea. I know you previously, I am thinking about several stories, but particularly the little boy who loves to play revolutionary war. Might throw some context in the mix-
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  • Posted by khalling 11 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    great story. it paid off. it is an unusual circumstance, not the norm. I know, I've been there and done that many times
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  • Posted by khalling 11 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    by "doing good" I assume time, talent, resources outside that. "others" how do you decide what to put your time and talent for?
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  • Posted by Rocky_Road 11 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    If Objectivism demands that charity is "evil", we all have to decide how rigidly we are willing to follow this 'ism.

    LeeCrites stated: "In some of my reading of other sites and commentary on Ayn Rand and the philosophical aspects of her teaching, it just felt to me like anything done for charitable purposes was seen as an evil."

    I suggest that LeeCrites is right in incorporating what he needs from Rand, with what he needs from his subjective view of charity.

    I agree with his personal application of both worlds....
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  • Posted by LetsShrug 11 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I apparently did a piss poor job of explaining it then. Read the book and then come back and beat me up. I tried to explain something in a paragraph that takes hundreds of pages to get to the real meat. My mistake. I apologize. I humbly bow out of this conversation before I do any further damage.
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  • Posted by LetsShrug 11 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    ...you did that because you WANTED to....(it was a little risky, but it turned out.) That's the point. Knowing when you're doing something just because it's expected, or that you're obligated in some way outside of yourself. Call your own shots on your own terms. Guilt free. :)
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  • Posted by LeeCrites 11 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Frankly, LS, if you were the kind of person you described in your message, then you never "used to be [me]."

    My self worth is generated from within me. I work on self improvement for me. I want to be the best me possible -- for me. Part of that process includes helping others become the best they can be. The percent of nationally (internationally) recognized leadership development authors and speakers who talk about this point -- Christian, Buddhist, agnostic, whatever -- is incredible. It is almost axiomatic. Leaders help others become better people.

    If Ayn Rand called people like that "second handers," and denigrated them, then that flushes a lot of her reputation in my mind.
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