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Single Idea 7833
[filed under theme 22. Metaethics / B. Value / 2. Values / i. Self-interest
]
Full Idea
Spinoza names self-interest as the sole source of value.
Gist of Idea
Spinoza names self-interest as the sole source of value
Source
report of Baruch de Spinoza (The Ethics [1675]) by Matthew Stewart - The Courtier and the Heretic Ch.10
Book Ref
Stewart,Matthew: 'The Courtier and the Heretic' [Yale 2007], p.178
A Reaction
This looks like a very seventeenth century view. There was a steady move from cynicism through to the optimism of the eighteenth century. I just don't agree that self-interest is the "sole" source of value, though we should never underestimate it.
Related Idea
Idea 4183
Only self-love can motivate morality, but that also makes it worthless [Schopenhauer]
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
|
Self-love benefits ourselves, and also helps others
[Aristotle]
|
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2810
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
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
|
Self-concern may be a source of pain, or a lack of self-respect, or a failure of responsibility
[Korsgaard]
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