Quote:
Originally posted by punkworld
I don't necessarily agree with the idea that altruism is good, to be honest.
You see, the argument you make about altruism in practice forcing women into a subservient, objectified role applies to humanity as a whole, if you look at it closely.
What someone like Rand (or Nietzsche) does, is to promote breaking free from the entire "slave morality", and to promote living according to one's own morality, passions and judgements.
If one looks only at women who do this, it will indeed look as if they are merely fighting the traditional patriarchal social forms. The truth, however, is that the difference is a much more fundamental one.
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Yes, agreed. But I do believe the "theory" or idea of altruism is defensible in every regard, even if history contains no successful examples. I would describe Altruism in terms as simple as: "a pervasive social principle, governing the large and small choices made by all intellectually mature human beings, built on the unverifiable belief that self-sacrifice improves both the individual and society at large." Though history is empty of succesful Altruistic Utopias (and has very few attempts at all), fiction has many. Consider Tolkien's Rings. Were the Hobbit's behaving like Objectivists?
Quote:
Originally posted by punkworld
Just curious, why do you think personal growth requires the involvement of the question of God?
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"God" is a convenient meme, into which much universal signification has already been invested by many cultures. What's important is the question - is there something more important than me? Something I can only occasionally approach with my rational thoughts, because it contains truths beyond my apprehension? Something that beckons to and compels powers within me my senses cannot detect, but which (because my faith in that ineffable "something" that's bigger than me and wholly outside of me stimulates them) I do BELIEVE are there.
Let me give you a more tangible example: I'm a poet. To be great I realize that I must conquer the influence of any poets before me. Yet, I also realize that, if my insecurity and fear of influence prevent me from seeking their influence inside myself and my own work, I will never b anything more than a frightened little creature hiding and shivering in the woods, even as I cry out "Look at me, look at me!"
j-