Number One

[NuclearTBag]

Is there something wrong with looking out for number one(no not god your self). If so, why? I mean I figured out a long time ago that the goal in life is to not die, so why is that wrong?

[Arya]

While, like others have said, it's fine to look out for yourself. However, there is a point where it just doesn't work. Those who look out for themselves and neglect others or just plain don't care about others will have a poor chance at survival. How will they expect to be helped if they find themselves in a bad situation but everyone around them knows what kind of attitude they have? Of course, this sort of action is that of reciprocal altruism. So in a sense you're still just looking out for youself. The goal in life (If you consider there is one) from a biological aspect would be to stay alive long enough to reproduce, IMO, not just "To not die".

I can understand your viewpoints. Although our main goals, strictly biologically speaking, are very self centered. We essentially need to stay alive to reproduce and bring the offspring to an age where they can sucessfully live independent of us (and reproduce on their own to continue the species). But not dying is another worthy goal to maintain <grin>.

But it is a sad state indeed for the individual that live soely and completely selfishly in today's societies. Humans are too social a creature to tolerate complete selfish behavior for long, and one who does so will eventually find themselves alone. Everything you do comes back to you, as the saying goes.

It is much more beneficial to project oneself outward in a postitive aspect; others that you contact in a social setting will be much more receptive towards you and are most likely to help you out in the event that they do need the assistence of others.

[unicorn]

Well, if your goal is not to die, you've already failed because everyone dies. Now, if you want to live eternally, that might be a non-dying sort of goal. You can't get that if you are selfish.

Also, and a more psychological answer as opposed to a religious one, no one who adheres to selfishness can ultimately/successfully love or be loved or experience true happiness. So that's what's wrong with your goal: it thwarts the better aspects of existence.

[KnowJah]

Is there something wrong with looking out for number one(no not god your self). If so, why? I mean I figured out a long time ago that the goal in life is to not die, so why is that wrong?

The bible says "there is more happiness in giving then there is in recieving" (Acts 20:35), and it says "to love your neigbor as yourself" (Luke 10:27) so you cant be loving yourself more.

Mark 8:35: For whoever wants to save his soul will lose it; but whoever loses his soul for the sake of me and the good news will save it

So I hope you mean your goal is to gain eternal life rather than try not to die in this life.

[ChooseAndAct]

Several people have said or implied that only looking out for yourself will make you a lonely hermit or a nomad. I would argue the opposite. Namely: that nomads and hermits are people who care too little for themselves. Isolating yourself from others does you much more harm than good so you are actually not looking out for your own interests.

I would also argue that people who do not serve their own personal selfish interests can be evil as well. Take for example suicide bombers. These people do not care about themselves. They will personally gain death and nothing else from their actions. Yet they believe their actions will benefit others (those that subscribe to the same beliefs/religion they do) so they sacrifice themselves.

What would the world be like if everyone only looked out for number one? Couldn't be much worse than what we have now.

Before anyone attacks that argument I would like to state that I do not sympathize with suicide bombers I only point out that their actions are not looking out for number one.

[topaz]

Is there something wrong with looking out for number one(no not god your self). If so, why? I mean I figured out a long time ago that the goal in life is to not die, so why is that wrong?

You made 2 points here --- No. 1 and yourself.

God is No. 1 ….. no one can take this spot. No. 1 means put God above self, country, family, parents, whatever.

[methylatedghosts]

Is there something wrong with looking out for number one(no not god your self). If so, why? I mean I figured out a long time ago that the goal in life is to not die, so why is that wrong?

You made 2 points here --- No. 1 and yourself.

God is No. 1 ….. no one can take this spot. No. 1 means put God above self, country, family, parents, whatever.

Although it is quite clearly stated that for the sake of this discussion, No.1 is yourself, not god.

Anyhow, looking out for no.1 isn't wrong. Some people believe it is, because it ignores other obligations one might have (to family, friends, work, god etc). But the question is not "Looking out only for yourself", but merely, "looking out for yourself". I don't believe looking out for yourself ignores other obligations, but helps to develop yourself into who you want to be, and that includes your actions and reactions relative to others.

[topaz]

Is there something wrong with looking out for number one(no not god your self). If so, why? I mean I figured out a long time ago that the goal in life is to not die, so why is that wrong?

You made 2 points here --- No. 1 and yourself.

God is No. 1 ….. no one can take this spot. No. 1 means put God above self, country, family, parents, whatever.

Although it is quite clearly stated that for the sake of this discussion, No.1 is yourself, not god.

Anyhow, looking out for no.1 isn't wrong. Some people believe it is, because it ignores other obligations one might have (to family, friends, work, god etc). But the question is not "Looking out only for yourself", but merely, "looking out for yourself". I don't believe looking out for yourself ignores other obligations, but helps to develop yourself into who you want to be, and that includes your actions and reactions relative to others.

If you’re looking out for yourself, by all means do so, just don’t attach ‘#1’ to yourself b/c this is wrong. As I pointed out, the #1 spot IS God’s place. Nobody can take this spot. This is a christian website where spirituality is discussed and debated. So, I must make this point clear.

We are taught to love ourselves. This is not wrong. When you love yourself, you don’t do drugs and such stuff. You want good things for yourself. This is good.

[methylatedghosts]

If you’re looking out for yourself, by all means do so, just don’t attach ‘#1’ to yourself b/c this is wrong. As I pointed out, the #1 spot IS God’s place. Nobody can take this spot. This is a christian website where spirituality is discussed and debated. So, I must make this point clear.

We are taught to love ourselves. This is not wrong. When you love yourself, you don’t do drugs and such stuff. You want good things for yourself. This is good.

I feel No.1 can be put by whoever you feel worthy. If you feel you are more worthy, put yourself there. If you feel a husband/wife is more worthy, put them in that spot. If you feel God is No.1 put god in that place. I do not feel there is a need for anyone to be singled out as No.1 to anyone else.