I have read many conflicting views regarding sacrifice and altruism contrasted with self-interest and selfishness.  Many philosophies surround this dichotomy that continually cast stones at which is right.  My concern is the obtuse constraints that are placed on the argument, disallowing variations from the underlying premises.  It is the same problem as party politics. If you accept a side, you are forced into supporting views you may not in order to ensure your more passionate stances are taken. Many people in today’s society leave you with this choice: If you really love people and the good of society, you should believe in altruism, socialism, and government assistance OR you can believe in capitalism, self-interest, and a hands-off, people will figure it out, approach.  I don’t like either of these.  One of my primary driving principles is freedom, freedom of thought, of action, of life, of belief, you name it.  That includes the freedom to help others or to choose not to.  I, of course, support those that choose to help but I do not destroy or discredit the freedom of those who choose not to.  That, to me, is the greater sin, the destruction of freedom.

Doing good in the community freely and for yourself without worry or disrespect for the freedom of others is the true test.

My chief concern with altruistic thinking is the common implication in today’s society, the idea of collectivism and the destruction of individuality, “for the greater good”.  I will not dictate what you should do, think, or intrinsically believe and I hope you will not do such with me.  I will support, however, my beliefs, principles, and ideas, simply not at the cost of yours.  Whenever I hear of charitable organizations accomplishing miracles PRIVATELY, my heart swells.  I love to see the progress of humanity in such ways, especially if the good they are doing is empowering others.  What I cannot stand, however, is charitable organizations supported through government interventions, essentially forcing tax-paying citizens to support causes they may not believe in or even vehemently oppose in some cases, with the threat of jail (just quit paying your taxes and see what happens).  That is a destruction of freedom.

I do not think pure altruism exists, it is contradictory to human progression and inherently self-destructive.  I will not get into that particular explanation now but will say that self-interest can be just as dangerous.  There exists an area of self-interest that I strongly agree with, however, it tends to lead to the not-so-agreed-with versions.  It tends to be shortsighted and assumes you know exactly what the best is for yourself.  This is a very dangerous position to take as we are continually learning.  Self-interest often becomes greed with a bit of natural coaxing.  It starts with self-interest until the glint of success or money disrupts the eternal and long-term perspective and it turns into an unnoticeable greed.  By the time you may realize it, you are knee deep making decisions based on short-term greed.

So when is either of them right?

Self-interest must be continually checked and is often best understood by simply realizing that when those around you are doing well and taken care of, you will be also, hence your self-interest is served without you losing sight of the long term.  Think about it in nearly any setting.  Business: when your customer is taken care of, happy, and served properly, you will be more successful.  If you want them to return and buy again as that is more effective than continually seeking new customers, you better do your job right and very well.  Think Family: When your spouse is taken care of, happy, and loving life, yours becomes easier, happier, and better.  When your kids smile, you will smile.  The kids are the easy example.  I don’t know many parents that don’t want their kids to be successful, even without any “payment” whatsoever.  The idea is to create the world you would want to live in (and do it by persuasion, not force).  That is in your self-interest.24

As for altruism, the above statement serves as well.  Make the world you would want to live in.  The only way it will work is if each person freely and individually chooses so.  Bondage and force to live in a certain manner never brought happiness to any people.  One’s desire to help their fellow man is very noble.  It is noble when applied with one’s own action and will and not the coerced action of society through government action.  This may not be the purest form of absolute “self-less” altruism but helping our fellow man is something I have no qualms with and, in fact, support quite openly.  Individuals who have dedicated their entire lives to the service of others have made a powerful and personal choice that will support all day long.  Keeping government-related action out of charitable service is of crucial importance as reasons, intent, and purpose tends to become clouded by this action.  As Lord Acton stated in 1887:

Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely…

Government power corrupts even the most well-intentioned do-gooders.  Many organizations are out to promote social causes without force of government and I will support many of them.  Even those I don’t support, I will always support their right to freely practice their ideals as long as they don’t make me not-so-freely practice them as well!

Simply do YOUR part freely and openly.  As we each do OURS, the world will become the kind of place where we all want to live.

Tags: altruism, freedom, individualism, self-interest