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Emma Roulette

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Why be a good person?

If everyone in the world were altruistic, the net amount of suffering would be lower. But If I am selfish, my individual suffering is much lower than others'. What then, does one do?

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Topics: altruism ethics general ethics identity morality philosophy selfishness
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    Woody Dunkin

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    May 21 2012: Why does being selfish lower your suffering more than others?

    It's how you look at the world and your place in it. I mean, even acts of kindness can be viewed as selfish.

    E.g. President Lincoln walked miles to return a penny to a customer. When asked why, he said he wanted to avoid feeling bad if he didn't.

    I believe we have a responsibility to take care of self first. Then family. Then society at large. If you take care of everyone else but yourself you will need to be taken care of, becoming a net negative vs. net positive.

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