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Single Idea 3650
[filed under theme 22. Metaethics / B. Value / 2. Values / i. Self-interest
]
Full Idea
It is not contrary to reason to prefer the destruction of the whole world to the scratching of my finger.
Gist of Idea
Total selfishness is not irrational
Source
David Hume (Treatise of Human Nature [1739], II.III.ii)
Book Ref
Cottingham,John: 'Rationalism' [Paladin 1984], p.130
A Reaction
A famous idea, and the embodiment of moral nihilism. I say nothing could ever refute someone who held such a view. No moral theory can force someone to care, if they just don't.
The
18 ideas
with the same theme
[concern for ourselves, in the context of morality]:
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128
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Is it natural to simply indulge our selfish desires?
[Plato]
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12
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If we were invisible, would the just man become like the unjust?
[Plato]
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2168
|
Clever criminals do well at first, but not in the long run
[Plato]
|
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3559
|
For Aristotle, true self-love is love of the higher parts of one's soul
[Aristotle, by Annas]
|
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5243
|
The best people exercise their virtue towards others, rather than to themselves
[Aristotle]
|
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92
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Self-love benefits ourselves, and also helps others
[Aristotle]
|
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2810
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Selfishness is wrong not because it is self-love, but because it is excessive
[Aristotle]
|
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7398
|
Carneades said that after a shipwreck a wise man would seize the only plank by force
[Carneades, by Tuck]
|
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13292
|
Selfishness does not produce happiness; to live for yourself, live for others
[Seneca]
|
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2370
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All voluntary acts aim at some good for the doer
[Hobbes]
|
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7833
|
Spinoza names self-interest as the sole source of value
[Spinoza, by Stewart,M]
|
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6243
|
As death approaches, why do we still care about family, friends or country?
[Hutcheson]
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3650
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Total selfishness is not irrational
[Hume]
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4183
|
Only self-love can motivate morality, but that also makes it worthless
[Schopenhauer]
|
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2886
|
The distinction between egoistic and non-egoistic acts is absurd
[Nietzsche]
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24135
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Egoism should not assume that all egos are equal
[Nietzsche]
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7141
|
A living being is totally 'egoistic'
[Nietzsche]
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9760
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Self-concern may be a source of pain, or a lack of self-respect, or a failure of responsibility
[Korsgaard]
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