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We abuse terms in Nigeria and render them meaningless due to our targeted connotation. There are many of such and I will pick just one for today. SELFLESSNESS...this loosely describes one who is not after immediate gratification & works towards the benefit of others in society.
But is there anything absolute regarding selfless acts? Will the study of enlightened self interest be meaningful if selflessness is truly attainable? Over the past decade I’ve studied psychological egoism, which asserts that humans always act out of self interest.
Many authors have differentiated this from ethical egoism which mostly focuses on how things ought to be as against psychological egoism that takes into account the present state of things in the here and the now. I believe this unbundles my use of the word “Perspective.”
In a heavily polarized society like ours, where identity politics of hate is now a religion deployed by sects to push various agendas focusing only on establishing their culture & notoriety (however foul) as the new normal, we can’t afford not to look deeper.
Even for those like me who say the impact they make is for nothing in return, psychological egoists maintains their argument that deep down we do these things solely because they make us feel better about ourselves in some ways. So something gives regardless even if not tangible.
This notion immediately begins to question the reality of altruism. When you invest in a child or protégée even without expecting anything from the subject, should that student succeed & impact society, it works for you. Wittingly or unwittingly this is enlightened self interest.
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One must then question further. If psychological egoism is real and altruism is apparent or false, do we then have a duty to help others?
This is the battle most people face out here. They see everyone making an impact as directly seeking for self since this is what they’ll normally do with every opportunity. But those walking the talk find it easier to spend on self than walking miles & waiting for years to reap.
So if psychological egoism is true it is not our duty to be altruistic, considerate, kind & generous, but a choice very few engage. It’s true that we heal ourselves when we accomplish a task driven by strong desire that benefits the collective. This is enlightened self interest.
There are many unconscious psychological egoists out there who will always link your deeds to self interest & hate you for free because you are succeeding where they have failed. The tantrums are never about the case in motion but the projection of shadows.
Dr Adadavor who risked her life during the Ebola Crisis by making the ultimate sacrifice would find it absurd if one should argue that she did this for her self interest or because she wants to be better off in some ways. Soldiers, Police Officers are dying daily on the job...
...to ensure the larger society is safe. Can we ever be able to ask them why they made the sacrifice? I believe it is egregious to make such a claim that people do what you can’t try just because of the kind of self interest that plagues your mind. #Pecuniary
Psychological egoists however are unique in their view. They believe soldiers, doctors, activists, innovators & heroes are lying or self deceived. They believe soldiers die just to be remembered as a hero or to win post humors medals or because they are tired of life.
Imagine living in a country inundated with psychological egoists and how miserable life can be under “I better pass my Neighbour” policy and self aggrandizement galore in high places. Nothing works eventually & values are defenestrated for instant gratification. The story of Us.
...End of Celestial Observation...
