The most important thing in the world to eliminate is selfishness. In my opinion, almost all negative things in the world can be attributed to selfishness. The exceptions would include events beyond the control of mankind, such as natural disasters.

War is universally caused by some individual or group seeking something it does not have but feels it has the right to. If selfishness were not a factor, nobody would be trying to annex another country or eliminate an entire race, and there would be no need for just wars of self-defense.

Poverty is in large measure caused by the selfishness of those who have wealth and refuse to share with others, as in the corrupt regimes in Africa. It is also caused by those who do not want to work hard to support themselves or their family-again, selfishness. I am not advocating communism. Free enterprise and competition are necessary for the survival of society, but greed is not a requirement in capitalism.

The majority of divorces are caused by financial difficulties (selfishness regarding how money is spent) or infidelity (selfishness on the part of the unfaithful spouse) or "irreconcilable differences," which is usually a lack of desire to serve one's spouse. Selfless service breeds love in any relationship, which would prevent the majority of divorces. Abuse is certainly caused by a selfish desire for power or sadistic pleasure.

As for sexual relationships outside of marriage, and the associated societal problems, the desire is for one's own pleasure, rather than wanting to build a meaningful, lifelong union with a partner, which desire would lead to marriage and a family. Drunkenness and drug abuse are caused by the desire for other forms of pleasure.

It should be readily apparent that at the root of all of society's problems lies selfishness in one of its forms. Therefore, the world would be best served if selfishness were eliminated, which would eliminate nearly all of our problems. The only way to achieve this is for each of us to start with ourselves.

Learn more about this author, Joel Hiller.
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