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?

[Illyricum]

Wow, that's a scary thought. What would the world look like if the only thing people thought about were themselves?

[Angry McFurious]

Nothing is wrong with watching your back to keep from drowning in society but still remember the other members of society... i guess... just try your best not to screw nayone over I can't phraise that well.

[mrmufin]

Wow, that's a scary thought. What would the world look like if the only thing people thought about were themselves?

Funny, I didn't read anything in NuclearTBag's post about people thinking only about themselves. There's a huge difference between individuals acting in their best self-interest and thinking only about themselves. We humans are social animals; it hasn't taken all that long on the cosmological calender for the vast majority of us to figure out that behaving cordially to others of the same species is usually mutually beneficial.

To address NTB's question more directly, there's nothing wrong about looking out for number one. Or, if I'm not looking out for my best interests, who else is? That we're all looking out for our best self-interest (which, hopefully, goes beyond not dying), does not imply that no common interests are held. A safe water supply, a reliable power grid, a consistent model of jurisprudence, etc., are all consistent with individuals working in their own self-interest.

Ah, the mixed memories of Nash equilibriums and Ayn Rand novels.

Regards,
mrmufin

[Amadeus]

However, there is such sweetness in thinking of others first.
If you saw a child drowning, would you not save them for fear of being pulled under?

[em200727]

Its def ok to watch your back but you cant put your self first! First of all what kind of life would you live always trying to better yourself even if it hurts others. I think it would be lonely and become unfun after a while! but on more of a Biblical perspective. God should be numero uno! i mean look at the first comandment! Thou shalt have no other gods before me! and the second one is Thou shalt not have any idols. i mean you can make anything a god even yourself. so God says no but that might not mean anything to you

[Lycan]

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?

...because everything you do affects others directly or indirectly.

[Regular_Guy]

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?

Nice thread
Im always on the look out for number one (me). Don't get me wrong if I can help someone I will, but if it's in my best interest to leave someone out to fend for themselves I make it a point to do so.
So my answer is, No, there is nothing wrong with looking out for yourself. One of my favorite quotes is "Life is a competition, the sooner you realize it the better your off"

[The Persnickety Platypus]

What would the world look like if the only thing people thought about were themselves?

Very similar to what it is now. The only difference is the very few people out there that do think of others once in a while. Thank God for such people.




Is it wrong to be self-centered? By nature's standards, certainly not. We can see survival of the fittest in action every time we gaze out our window. The animal best suited to it's environment lives, while the unfit dies out. These better suited animals make no effort to help the unsuited, for doing that would be unbeneficial to themselves.

For example, it is certainly right for us Americans, who are far more suited to the global environment by utilization of our more profitable resources, to let nature take it's course with more unlucky groups such as, say, Africans.

Right?

Maybe?

No?

Perhaps we were given the power of empathy because that in ITSELF is a suitable trait which has enabled us to survive millions of years. Why are we not still simple un-reasoning organisms such as fish, insects, and birds, who all know no sympathy? Might we have evolved these unique traits (or given by a creator, whichever viewpoint you prefer) for a reason?

I believe so. Our power of caring is one of our many dominant traits that has perhaps saved us from extinction thus far, just as long necks are a more suitable trait for giraffs, and speed is a more suitable trait for cheetahs.

By better utilizing this characteristic we may profit more as a species. If EVERYONE put others before themselves, there would be no need to "look out for number one", because there would always be someone to do that for you.


But alas, perhaps I have too much faith in humanity to believe we can accomplish such things. It's a good thing we have also developed a trait called 'reasonable thinking', through which we may attain the realization that our conduct towards others reflects our own future.

[Leon_Magnus]

I guess a life in a reality that God doesn't really control, is worth sacrificing. Eh I still think its lame that he let a creation get strong enough to screw up even nature.