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Should society value selfishness?
Results so far:
| Yes | 18% | 31 votes | Total: 170 votes | |
| No | 82% | 139 votes |
Yes
by Rosemary Redfern
Created on: September 02, 2010
Before considering whether society should value selfishness, it is worth considering what we mean by the concept.
Selfishness can be; ignoring other’s needs, being focused on an aim, having tunnel vision, having what the individual wants at the expense of others and generally not being cooperative. The interpretation of selfishness varies with the situation and who is doing the interpretation.
As a society we are impressed by those who set a goal and work, consistently, towards it. We praise the dedication of such efforts. Yet this requires a certain amount of selfish effort and some tunnel vision. As a society we are not impressed by someone who, persistently, ignores family and colleagues, while they pursue a path of their own. It could be they are right and we don’t want to acknowledge it, or it might be that they are not fully informed of the probable outcome of their actions and ideas. These are two extremes of the concept of selfishness with different outcomes. Selfishness is not a straightforward attribute or quality.
The ability to follow a chosen path has given us a great number of special people who have worked, tirelessly, to solve problems in science, or change a political system which was wrong. Edward Jenner and the smallpox vaccine, Mother Theresa and Ghandi in India, are examples of determination to solve issues. While we all admire them, often we do not continue to support them and slide back into what is, inefficient, but comfortable ways because what is comfortable is undemanding. These insightful individuals show that in following their ideas they required a single mindedness of purpose, which overcomes discouragement and disappointment, and sustains them through tribulations. This could be interpreted as selfishness, or merely stubbornness, and these individuals are certainly not comfortable people to encounter because they are right. We do not always want to do what is right.
Having a streak of selfishness in a personal life means having some self esteem. It is good to do things for oneself because we all have needs which must be met if we are to function adequately. A person whose needs are met is less stressed and has space and time to cooperate with others. Cooperation is, according to John Nash, the Nobel Prize winner for Economics, the best way to succeed at any project. Cooperation can feel like taking a risk on someone else. Therefore society needs to value a certain amount of selfishness because it engenders personal satisfaction for the individual, who is then available to work for society.
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No
by cody18
Created on: June 08, 2011 Last Updated: June 15, 2011
More and more the message we hear is that everyone needs to put themselves first. Each of us is the most important person and our needs, wants and desires should come before everyone else. It doesn't matter what you have to do to get what you want, who you have to backstab, hurt or betray if the end result is you get what you want, that is success. The message sent by media is if you don't look out for yourself no one else will. However, this thinking leads to a very unhappy, lonely life.
Selfishness by definition is being devoted to or caring only for oneself; being concerned primarily with one's own interests, benefits, welfare, etc., regardless of others. While it is important to make sure we are taking care of ourselves within reason, the scary part about selfishness is that it has no regard for others. A society that values selfishness is one in which people are overlooked, not cared for and pushed to the side.
Highly selfish people tend to be very lonely. We were created to be in relationships with each other, to help each other out. Relationships are a two-way street, there needs to be a give and take. If one person is always giving or one person always taking, that friendship often dies out. If we are so consumed with ourselves that we neglect others, we will not have many friends, we will be alone in the world and that is a sad, lonely and scary place to be. Imagine not having anyone to depend on, not having friends to call when you are going through a hard time or are just feeling down. A society that values selfishness includes a lot of lonely, sad people.
While selfishness may seem ideal at first and seem to give you the results in life you desire, eventually the sheen will start to fade. In the beginning, it may seem like putting you first is the best idea ever. You get the things you want, you don't have to spend your time taking care of others, all you're focused on is doing what you want to do, when you want to do it and you're not worried about how your actions effect others or what they may feel about what you're doing. But who do you celebrate with? Who do you share your life with if all you are worried about is you? Self-absorbed people are no fun to be around.
Instead of promoting the idea that life should be all about "me", society should instead foster the idea that life is all about "we." If people are focused on taking care of each other and helping each other out there would not be people passed over, there would not be so many hurting and sad people in this world.
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