Reasonable selfishness is the term, often used in recent years of the nineteenth century to designate the philosophical and ethical position establishing for each subject, the principal priority of the personal interests of the subject over any other interests, whether public interests or the interests of other subjects.
The need for a separate term is due to the apparently negative semantic tint, traditionally connected with the term "egoism". If under the egoist (without a clarifying word "reasonable") often understand the person thinking only about himself and / or neglecting other people, then supporters of "reasonable egoism" usually claim that such a neglect of a number of reasons is simply unprofitable for neglecting and, Therefore, it is not selfishness (in the form of a priority of personal interests over any other), but only the manifestation of short-sightedness or even nonsense. Reasonable egoism in the domestic understanding is the ability to live their own interests, not the contrique to the interests of others.
The concept of intelligent egoism began to form in a new time, the first arguments on this topic are already found in the writings of Spinoza and Gelving, but in full volume was presented only in the Nomanian Chernyshevsky "What to do?". In the 20th century, the ideas of rational egoism revives Ain Rand in the collection of Egoism Virtue, the Hymn and the "Source" and "Atlant" novels. In the philosophy of Ain Rand, reasonable egoism is inseparable from rationalism in thinking and objectivity in ethics. Also, the psychotherapist Nataniel Branden was engaged in reasonable egoism.
The concept of "reasonable egoism". This concept emphasizes that the social responsibility of the business is just a "good business", because it helps reduce long-term profit loss. By implementing social programs, the Corporation reduces its current profits, but in the long-term period of time forms a favorable social environment for its employees and territories of its activities, creating conditions for the stability of its own profits. This concept is placed in the theory of rational behavior of economic agents.
The essence of rational egoism is that the economy is accepted when conducting things to consider alternative costs. If they are higher, it does not matter, because You can, for example, with greater benefits to invest your resources into another matter. Keyword - benefit. For economics and business, this is normal.
But as for the sphere of human relations, the principle of benefits (the leading principle of the economy) turns people in the beasts and devalues \u200b\u200bthe essence of the human life. Relationships in the direction of reasonable egoism are guided by the assessment of the benefits of various relationships with people and choosing the most profitable relationship. Any mercy, manifestation of disinterested love, even true charity with thedz. Reasonable egoist - meaningless. They make sense only mercy, patronage, charity for the sake of PR, receiving benefits, various posts.
Another error of rational egoism is an equalization of benefit and good. This is at least not reasonable. Those. Reasonable egoism is contrary to himself.
Reasonable egoism is the ability to find a balance between the needs of people and their own capabilities.
Reasonable egoism is characterized by a great understanding of life, and this is a thinner view of egoism. It can also be directed to the material, but the method of obtaining or achievement is characterized by greater intelligence and less looping on "I, I, my". Such people have an understanding of which this downtime leads, and they see and use more subtle ways to obtain the desired, which brings less suffering and to themselves and others. Such people are more intelligent (ethical) and less selfish, they do not go on the heads of others or alive, do not commit violence of any kind and prone to fair cooperation and exchange, given the interests of everyone who deal with.
The theory of intelligent egoism originates from the philosophical constructions of such outstanding XVII thinkers., Like Locke, Hobbes, Puffendorf, Grozeni. Ideas about the "alone Robinsone", which in the natural state of unlimited freedom and replaced this natural freedom to social rights and duties, were caused by a new way of activity and business and corresponded to the provision of an individual in an industrial society, where everyone owned any property (let each Even only on its workforce), i.e. He performed as a private owner and counted, therefore, on himself, his own sound judgment about the world and its decision. He proceeded from his own interests, and they could not be discounted in any way, since a new type of farming, primarily industrial production, relies on the principle of material interest.
This new social situation was reflected in the ideas of enlighteners about a person as a natural, natural being, all the properties of which, including personal interest, are defined by nature. After all, in accordance with his bodily essence, everyone seeks to get pleasure and avoid suffering, which is associated with love for himself, or by itself, based on the most important of the instincts - self-preservation instinct. So they argue everything, including Rousseau, although he is somewhat knocking out of the general reasoning, recognizing altruism along with reasonable egoism along with reasonable egoism. But he often refers to selflessly: the source of our passions, the beginning and the basis of all others, the only passion that is born with a man and never leaves him while he is alive, is love for himself; This passion is the initial, congenital preceding by any other: all others are in a sense only by its modifications ... Love for itself is always suitable and always in harmony with the order of things; Since everyone is entrusted, first of all his own self-preservation, the first and very important thing from his concerns is - and must be - it is this constant care for self-preservation, but how could we take care of him if they had not seen their main interest in this? .
So, each individual in all its actions comes from love to himself. But, being enlightened by the light of the mind, he begins to understand that if it will only think about himself and seek only for myself personally, it will face a huge number of difficulties, primarily because everyone wish the same - satisfying their needs, funds For what is still very small. Therefore, people gradually conclude that it makes sense to some extent to limit themselves; This is not done at all from love to others, but from love to yourself; Therefore, it is not about altruism, but about reasonable egoism, but such a feeling is a guarantee of calm and normal living together. XVIII century contributes to these submissions its own adjustments. First, they concern common sense: to comply with the requirements of reasonable egoism pushes common sense, because without taking into account the interests of other members of society, without compromises you cannot build a normal daily life with them, it is impossible to ensure uninterrupted functioning of the economic system. An independent individual who is based on himself, the owner comes to this conclusion alone just because it is endowed with common sense.
Another addition is related to the development of the principles of civil society (the further will be discussed). And the latter relates to the Rules of Education. On this path among those who developed the theory of upbringing, primarily between Gelving and Rousseau, there are some disagreements. Democraticism and humanism equally characterize their concept of education: both are convinced that it is necessary to provide all people with equal opportunities for education, as a result of which everyone can become a virtuous and enlightened member of society. Arriving natural equality, Helvetia, however, begins to prove that all the abilities and taking people from nature are absolutely the same, and the differences between them creates only education, and the case is given a huge role. Just for the reason that the case invades all the plans, the results often turn out to be at all such as a person originally assumed. Our life is convinced of Helvetia, often depends on insignificant accidents, but since we do not know them, it seems to us that all our properties we are obliged only to nature, but it is not.
Rousseau, unlike Gelving, did not attach such importance to accidents, he did not insist on absolute natural identity. On the contrary, in his opinion, people from nature have different deposits. However, what happens from a person is mainly also determined by the upbringing. Rousseau first allocated various age periods of the child's life; In each period, some kind of special educational impact is most fruitful. So, in the first period of life it is necessary to develop physical deposits, then feelings, then mental abilities and finally moral concepts. Rousseau called upon educators to listen to the voice of nature, not to rape the nature of the child, treat him, as with a full-fledged person. Thanks to the criticism of the previous scholastic methods of education, thanks to the installation on the laws of nature and the detailed study of the principles of "natural education" (as we see, Rousseau "natural" not only a religion - "naturally" also upbringing) Rousseau could create a new direction of science - pedagogy and provided A huge impact on many thinkers committed (on L.N. Tolstoy, I. V. Götte, I. Pestalotski, R. Rollan).
When we consider the upbringing of a person under the angle of view, which was so important for French enlighteners, namely, reasonable egoism, can not notice certain paradoxes detecting from almost everyone, but mainly in Gelving. It seems to be moving in line with common ideas about self and personal interest, but brings his thoughts to paradoxical conclusions. First, it interprets personal interest as material benefit. Secondly, all the phenomena of human life, all its events of Helvetia reduces to the understandable thus personal interest. Thus, it turns out to be the founder of utilitarianism. Love and friendship, the desire of the authorities and the principles of the public contract, even morality - everything is reduced by Gelving to personal interest. So, by honesty, we call the habit of each to a useful actions for him.
When I, let's say I pay about the deceased friend, in reality I pay not about him, but about myself, because without him I can not talk to myself, get help. Of course, it is impossible to agree with all the utilitarian conclusions Gelving, it is impossible to reduce all the senses of a person, all types of its activities to the benefits or to the desire to benefit. Compliance with the moral commandments, for example, is rather damage, rather benefit, - morality is not related to benefits. The relations of people in the field of artistic creativity also cannot be described in the terms of utilitarianism. Such objections were distributed to the Gelving already in its time, and not only from enemies, but also from friends. So, Didro asked what benefit himself herself, creating a book "On the mind" in 1758 (where for the first time the concept of utilitarianism was presented): After all, she was immediately convicted of burning, and the author had to renounce it three times, and after This he was afraid that it would be formed (as Lametre) emigrate from France. But Helvetias had to foresee all this in advance, and nevertheless, he did what he did. Moreover, immediately after the fellow tragedy of Gelving began to write a new book, developing ideas first. In this regard, Didro notes that it cannot be reduced only to physical pleasures and material benefits and that personally he is often ready to prefer the most severe attack of gout by the slightest contempt for himself.
Nevertheless, it is impossible not to admit that at least one question of Gelving was right - personal interest, and material interest, claims itself in the field of material production, in the field of economics. Common sense makes recognize the interest of each participant's interest here, and the lack of common sense, the requirement to abandon himself and sacrifice it alleged for the purpose of the interests of the whole entry for the strengthening of the totalitarian aspirations of the state, as well as chaos in the economy. The rationale for common sense in this area turns into the protection of the interests of the individual as the owner, and this is exactly what it was put and still put in the guilt of Gelving. Meanwhile, a new way of management is based on such an independent, guided by their own common sense and responsible for its decisions to the subject - the subject of property and law.
Over the past decades, we are so accustomed to deny private property, so they are accustomed to justify their actions by unconscious and enthusiasm, which almost lost common sense. Nevertheless, private property and private interest are the necessary attributes of industrial civilization, the content of which is not exhausted by only class interactions.
Of course, you should not idealize market relations that characterize this civilization. But the same market, expanding the borders of supply and suggestions, contributing to the increase in public wealth, really creates the ground for the spiritual development of members of society, to liberate the individual from the vice of non-free.
In this regard, it should be noted that the task of rethinking those concepts that were previously evaluated only as negative were called long ago. Thus, it is necessary to understand private property not only as the property of the exploitation, but also as the property of a private person who is freely disposed of it, freely decisive, how to do it, and resting on his own sound judgment. It is impossible not to take into account that the complex relationship between the owners of the production facilities and the owners of their workforce are currently significant transformations due to the fact that an increase in surplus value is increasingly not at the expense of the share of foreign labor, but by increasing labor productivity , development of computer tools, technical inventions, discoveries, etc. Important influence provides here and strengthening democratic trends.
The problem of private property requires a special study today; Here we can only emphasize once again that, defending private interest, Helvetia defended Individual as an owner as an equal member of the industrial production and a member of a public contract, born and growing democratic transformations on the basis. The question of the ratio of individual and public interest displays us to the question On sensible egoism and public contract.
ethical concept, nominated by enlighteners of the XVII-VIII century. Based on which the principle is that correctly understood interest should coincide with the public. Although a man by nature is an egoist and acts only from his own interest, from the desires of pleasure to enjoy, happiness, glory, etc., but he must obey the requirements of morality, public interest, first of all, because it will eventually be profitable his. Hence, being a reasonable egoist, a person in his actions comes morally - not hypocritical and does not deceive other people, satisfying its interest. This theory was developed by Gelving, Golbach, Didro, Feuerbach.
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ethical teaching suggesting that: a) all human actions have the basis of the egoistic motive (the desire of the good of themselves); b) The mind allows you to allocate from the total volume of motives that make up properly understood personal interest, that is, it allows to detect the core of those egoistic motivations that correspond to the reasonable nature of the person and the public nature of his life. The result of this is the etiquormatative program, which, while maintaining a single (egoistic) basis of behavior, implies an ethically mandatory not only the accounting of the interests of other individuals, but also the commission of deeds aimed at the general benefit (for example, blessings). At the same time, reasonable egoism may be limited to a statement that the desire for its own benefit contributes to the benefits of others, and thereby authorize a narrow-blooded moral position.
In the ancient era, during the emergence of this model of ethical reasoning, it retains its peripheral character. Even Aristotle, who developed her most fully, takes her the role of just one of the components of friendship. He believes that "a virtuous should be myself," and explains self-sacrifice through the maximum pleasure associated with virtue. The reception in the era of the revival of the ancient ethical representations (first of all, epicureism, with an emphasis on the desire for pleasure) is accompanied, for example, L. Balla is the requirement to "learn to enjoy the benefits of other people."
The theory of intelligent egoism gets the development of both in French and in the Anglo-Scottish Enlightenment - the most bright by A. Smith and Gelving. Smith connects in a single concept of human nature an idea of \u200b\u200ba person economic and man moral. According to Gelving, the rational balance between the egoistic passion of the individual and the public good cannot be formed naturally. Only an impassive legislator with the help of state power, using awards and punishment, will be able to benefit "possibly more people" and make the basis of the virtue of the "benefit of a separate individual".
Detailed development, the teachings of reasonable egoism received in the later works of L. Feyerbach. Morality, on Feyerbah, relies on a sense of self-satisfaction from meeting the other - the main model of his concept is the relationship of floors. Even, it would seem, the anti-vacremistic moral actions (first of all self-sacrifice) Feuerbach is trying to reduce the rationally-egoistic principle: if happiness, I need to suggest satisfaction, then the desire for happiness as the most powerful motive is able to confront even self-preservation.
The intellibly-egoistic concept of N. G. Chernyshevsky relies on such an anthropological interpretation of a subject, according to which the true expression of utility, identical good, consists of "the benefits of a person at all." Due to this, in the collision of private, corporate and universal interests, the latter should prevail. However, due to the rigid dependence of human will from external circumstances and the impossibility of meeting the highest needs to satisfy the simplest reasonable correction of egoism, in his opinion, it will be effective only under the condition of complete alteration of the Company's structure.
In philosophy 19 century Ideas, related concepts of intelligent egoism, were expressed by I. Bentam, J. S. Millem, Spencer, Sidylvik. From the 50s. 20 V. Reasonable egoism began to be considered in the context of the concept of "ethical egoism". Consignment positions are contained in Prescipitalism R. Heara. The detailed criticism of the theories of rational egoism is presented in the works of F. Khatcheson, I. Kanta, G. F. V. Hegel, J. E. Mura.
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Epochs change, and human morals are transformed. Once we were taught that you need to live for the benefit of society, but today is increasingly promoted the principle of intelligent egoism.
It lies in such behavior of a person at which the latter is always. And if the help of another asks him to sacrifice its benefits, rights, interests, then a reasonable egoist will refrain from such assistance.
Formed in our time the principle of intelligent egoismit allows you to balance between super-emotional, infinitely good, trouble-free, sacrificial, wide soul by a person (altruist) and a downgraded, nor about whom not thinking about themselves egoist.
But only a person really objectively assessing the situation can hold this very shaky equilibrium and can determine the thin line between reasonable and banal egoism.
Some will say that there is no difference in these two forms of egoism, and that in this way, a darling soul, people are covered by other people's problems.
But let's think objectively. If one person will constantly help everyone else, then when will he, solve his problems?
But as the disinterested assistance to those who want to get it only more. And all because people begin to perceive such assistance - not as extreme measure, but as something familiar and granted.
In other words, they are simply forgotten that another person do not owe them in this life.
He also has, no matter how strange it did not sound, his personal life and his problems that no one decides for him.
And if he does not ask for help from anyone, then this is neither because he is not needed, but he just has more conscience and than others.
That's why the principle of intelligent egoism Not just needed, but extremely needed in modern life, where the majority believes that the one who is lucky on that and go.
Reasonable egoism allows people not to become a hostage of circumstances, free assistant of all and everyone, who is easier to ask for help than anything to take on their own.
And such people, unfortunately, the majority. From the earliest periods begins the eternal "help." At school it sounds: "Let's write off" or "tell me".
At the Institute "let me rewrite", "help make a drawing, solve the task." You set up to work, you think that I got to adults, but a kindergarten with eternal tell me, help, donibling, loan continues and there.
And if you think that there is no reasonable egoism, then you will be unquestioned to everyone and help everyone. But how long will you? Yes, and everyone still will not be mil.
In the end, you will find the glory of the invaluable assistant and sticks-corrosive, and they will launch their affairs and problems, and such a circulation will not be neither the edge or end.
Using in life the principle of intelligent egoismYou are from a superhero in an ordinary person.
People around will understand that you also have our own business, problems, and interests, and that you do not miraculously miraculously deal with all the cargo of personal care, and therefore you also need to solve them.
Do not become a real egoist will allow the awareness of certain truths:
Nobody says that you have to sacrifice your life for the sake of the other of another (not everyone is capable of this), but to call the police, call the rescue service, ambulance, firefighters, to take other emergency measures is obliged to every person.
The concept of "reasonable egoism" is found very often. But at the same time anywhere there is no specific definition - and what actually is it? Alas, the clarity on this topic is not yet, and explaining to clarify this concept is necessary.
Moreover, not everything in terms of the concepts of "egoism and altruism" is so unambiguous as it is considered. Usually in this regard, two concepts are originally opposed - selfishness (all herself) and altruism (all others). But at first glance, it is probably seen that it is not always a person exists in any of these extremes. Just as it does not happen in the human society "definitely white and definitely black", "definitely bad and definitely good", "unambiguous evil and unequivocal goodness."
And the term "reasonable egoism" is not decrypted by the phrase "Love yourself, chihei on everyone, and success is waiting for you." But what, in this case, call egoism is reasonable, and what, accordingly, is unreasonable than one differs from the other, etc.? And how to be with altruism, which is also useful in society, only the question - to whom and in what cases?
As they say - people are on the same people that, in addition to instincts, they have more moral principles and logical thinking, but "reasonable man" with all the desire cannot fully ignore its instinctive nature, including the influence of self-preservation instinct. And it is unlikely to voluntarily give "to his neighbor" last, without which he will not be able to survive himself. In other words, "to be an egoist" laid in human nature initially. In addition, any human actions are committed because it is somehow this person is nice (another option is possible, when a person breaks, force, rape, but this is another story). And such a motivation is also the usual position of any homo Sapires. It is useless to condemn him for it, just as it is meaningless to condemn people for what they want to breathe, eat, drink, walk to the toilet, having sex, etc. But here "Pleasy", coming as a result of a particular act, can be different: either short-term or long-term. And when a person makes something from the position "I will do this, because I will now be good from this, and then at least the grass does not grow" - this is just an egoist unreasonable. After all, "the grass will grow" anyway, one way or another, and if he continues his behalf, - then around him, if you can put it, one nettle will grow. But when a person, making one or another act, thinks about his long-term benefits, perhaps, when the sake of others "here and now" is already reasonable egoism. It turns out that one of the basic principles of intelligent egoism was mentioned in the movie "Mimino": "If you want me to do it well, you will do it well, then I will make you so good that we will be good!"
And if you want to conditionally say, help others - reasonable egoism invites the first to take care of himself, and then about others. Because only elementaryly providing his needs a person can give something to another, and most importantly - maybe this is something at first to find that it was what to give. You absolutely sincerely can strive to help disadvantaged money, but for this you need to make this money. You can strive to feed the hungry, but for this you ourselves must be able to extract food. And if you first give all you have - you can hardly help someone at all.
Reasonable egoism has to learn, because it is a complex and ambiguous concept. Perhaps somewhere should be frankly for themselves to accept that not all your desires "to enable the whole world" are directed exclusively for the benefit of the rest of the world. As soon as you start from the position of the mind, it is recognized and analyzed - consider that the main training of reasonable egoism you have already begun.
It turns out that reasonable egoism is:
The ability to make acts for their benefit, taking into account the interests of others;
The ability to predict the development of events, living not only today;
The ability to assess the situation or the problem of the eyes of another person and make it so that he also wanted to do something for you;
The ability to take care at the beginning of yourself to get the opportunity to help others, and love before themselves to be able to give love to another.
But not so primitive, as you thought: they say, first grab everything yourself, pushing others, and then you will distribute it to others. Not at all! After all, the main skill of a reasonable egoist is the ability to solve your problems and take care of itself socially acceptable methods. Moreover, reasonable egoism is the basis of a market economy: when you make something for others, getting the dividends "for yourself, your loved one.
The theory of rational egoism was formed in parallel with capitalist relations. The most important role in this was played by the Epoch of Enlightenment (end 17 - early 19th century), which focused on the value of independent thinking. Let us remember Immanuel Kant with his postulate freedom of using their own intelligence. Rationalism involves the search for truth, whatever it is. Detection of truth, even bitter, should not entail repression. According to Kant, enlightenment is the courage to use her own mind.
French thinkers of the 18th century were made of the greatest contribution to the theory of intelligent egoism. They argued that the basis of morality is correctly understood their own interests - the so-called "reasonable selflessness". From their point of view, a reasonable egoism was the "golden middle" between altruism and egoism unreasonable. The latter is the satisfaction of momentary desires without taking into account the consequences, violation of the rights of people around them in favor of their interests, therefore leads in perspective to major trouble. From the point of view of the theorists of reasonable egoism, people must learn this phenomenon, overcoming inadequate prohibitions implemented since childhood and restrictions, and wider use their common sense.
In fact, the theory of intelligent egoism forms a new kind of morality (instead of the outdated dualistic morality of absolute good and evil), in which the so-called "moral selflessness" and "altruism" are depreciated - they are only free cheese at the entrance to the mousetrap. "Altruist", making a favor, forces another person to feel obliged to him and thus gets a space for future manipulations. Therefore, a reasonable egoist refuses such offering, so as not to fall into question, or does not consider it proper to do anything to pay in response to the "disinterested" gift or the rendered service. By the way, he can cure a manipulator - Altruist from his bad habit.
Of course, reasonable egoism is better than a hypocritical double morality, from which citizens of the USSR who lived in socialism suffered. This concept is close to individualism and allows a gifted person better to express himself. After all, egoism for everyone its own (as well as the personality and mind), so all sorts of "collective-patriotic" events remain unclaimed and entailing only the "lazy minds", waiting that strong power will solve their problems.
The difference between gifted individualists (primary people) and irresponsible collectivists (secondary people) is greatly shown in the novels of the writer Ayn Rand called the "Source" and "Atlanta straightened the shoulders." A gifted man, from the point of view of the author, conquers personal happiness in the process of creativity, and it works, first of all , for yourself!For own Development! Another thing is that usually the benefits of others, but this is, as they say, "a side result."
You can ask a question why I write this book. Guess from three times ... right, first of all - for our own development, desire to better understand this topic and improving self-esteem. When there are so many smart thoughts in my head, it would be a crime to show the power of your hemispheres on paper ...
However, back to the brilliant emigrant from Russia Ain Rand, whose works on the effect on the American society ranked second after the Bible. A reasonable egoist, from the point of view of the writer, acquires the goal in itself. He lives his own head, not allowing other people to make a sacrifice from himself, but not turning the victims of others. An open proclamation and justification of such ideas in the works of Ayn Rand makes it consider their writings rather philosophical than artistic.
As you can see, the emphasis is done on his own mind and common sense of a person who, carrying out a conscious choice in everyday life, is responsible for him. This is another kind of morality other than Christian, the importance of which for many years before our era emphasized the ancient Chinese philosopher of Confucius. For him, as for Socrates, virtue was merged with knowledge and could not be realized outside it. Unlike many modern "moral" hypocrites, Confucius always lived in his commandments. By the way, he was easy - because he had a mind! According to the philosopher, "religion must be agreed with the mind of a person and subject to testing common sense. What cannot be verified by reason cannot be the subject of true and hard faith, which means that cannot lead the actions. " Here in such a "religion" I am ready to believe with pleasure!
This is what Charles Darwin wrote on this: "At times, the mind can suggest that a person should act against other people with the opinion of other people whose approval he does not deserve, but he will still experience full satisfaction from consciousness that he followed Your deepest belief or conscience. "
From school, we remember the novel "What to do?". Reasonable egoism of "new people" in this work Chernyshevsky is expressed as follows: the thoughts of the main characters are aimed at themselves, but at the same time subordinate to the ideals of good and happiness. Their personal interest coincides with the universal one. Unreasonable The same egoism of other heroes of the novel leads to idleness and excesses.
For me, for me, a painful point is here, to what degree of interest of a gifted and intelligent selfish personality can coincide with the collective. After all, talented people are often forced to resist the lazy and inert mass. Ortega-I-Gasset, a modern writer and a philosopher, this phenomenon described very brightly: "Careless minds, not being deceived about their own order, weanly approve their right to her ... The mass of ferments is unlikely, the non-realty and the best. Weight are those who float the flow and devoid of landmarks. Therefore, the massive person does not create ... "
For such people, "uniqueness" is not connected with their own unique personality, but at best with new sensations from the possession of another "toy". Everything is still coming from the outside, and not from the inside.
In the festive spring days, when the "medium" man with a crowd goes to the street "Walk", "watch the salute" and, having fun hanging out, flies there and here, I look in these faces and try to understand: they "know" about the absence of themselves Any individual, unique qualities and therefore decided to be "like everyone else", or do not even try to look for these qualities? It is not surprising that they will come to my courses only when "grieving".
Remember, we have already said that "man is unreasonable" inclined to give priority to material consumption and empty pleasures? Ortega-I-Gasset also notes two main features of the "mass person": a permanent increase in life requests and innate ungratefulness, which in general draws the image of the spoiled child living with emotions and illusions. After all, no one is even trying to point out to this child's "secondary" his life, and his own! "The longer we exist," the Spanish philosopher writes with bitterness, "the conviction is that most inaccessible inaccessible in addition to the forced response to the external necessity."
Television and other media have long been treated with the population as with capricious children. "When will he finally be warm?" - offended asks the question of the leading news program to the representative of the Hydrometeorological Center, and that in response, as if apologizing, begins to calm the body to the audience - only to hear again in a week: "When will this heat finally end again? " You might think that the weather forecaster is like an almighty parent (or God) is able to influence the weather. By the way, many are kept constantly included radio or television in the apartment, so that in silence suddenly not to start thinking and mourn the inner emptiness and the wretchedness of their being. They drown out the outside noise of their inner voice.
Immediately recalls Hydegger MAN, who seeks to do everything easy and uneacle-hard for himself, perceive everything with a purely outside and adhere to "conventional visibility." Such a man ("averaged person") "Always lives under the invisible authority of others ... Everyone has others and no one is he himself ... MAN ... There is no one." As we see, an excessive expansion of the "external", "the authorities of others" leads to the obligation of the principle of moderation in contacts with the environment and the absence of reasonable egoism.
In my opinion, the main advantage of the writings of the already mentioned Ortega-I-Gasset is that he showed the main dangers of not a reasonable egoism of the crowd, or, if you really look for a strictly opposite term, unreasonable collectivism. "Weak are united to compensate for their individual weaknesses" the authority of the number "," writes Sigmund Bauman. Since the "mass" man of mind is a little bit, then his egoism cannot be reasonable by definition! It is no coincidence that Ortega-I-Gasset notes that the crowd granted to itself destroys the foundations of its own existence.
A reasonable egoist never behaves this: he thinks about his long-term benefit, and not about satisfying momentary needs. While egocentrism is an extreme degree of egoism - literally dangerous for life. After all, egocentric is not able to feel other people, predict their actions, which means it is reasonable to measure their actions with the actions of others. It is no coincidence that it is said: "Freedom is the ability of a person to live in conditions of its own self-restrictions." And where will they take a person with a nearby mind? Therefore, in order to keep such people in the ultrasound, there are religion with its morality and the state with its power structures. Both of these institutions do the emphasis rather on emotions (whip and gingerbread) than to the mind. I do not undertake to judge, to what extent a "mass person" could be re-removed if the emphasis was shifted to the development of rational, logical thinking. Therefore, it may be in Senka and the cap, which, however, does not suit gifted sensible egoists. They have their own hats and most importantly - another contents of the head.
Implementing yourself in selected activities - the most "reliable" way of obtaining positive emotions and strengthening positive self-esteem (satisfaction from its unique achievements). Such a person will not have to pretend to others, depicting showing optimism. The joy of the process of personal creativity makes an irrelevant envy and a sense of competition: if my "plot of work" is unique, then I am in it the first and only worker, and any comparisons with others will be inappropriate (as we know, envy often appears as a result of comparing themselves with more successful people). I should not compete with others, but with yourself, to be more successful yesterday's successful.
Excellent confirmation of this gives the life of the philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein. According to experts, his first works had a lot of weaknesses. However, over the years, Wittgenstein (despite dubious spiritual health), more and more loaded himself, as a result of which he became not only a brilliant specialist, but also much the best person. He, by the way, was openly wrote that (favorite) classes in philosophy and there is the best "self-treatment".
This is what the famous Balletmister Balanshin said in this regard at the celebration of the 70th anniversary: \u200b\u200b"I have much more energy now than in my youth, because I know for sure what I want." So reasonable egoism allows the personality to concentrate efforts on the most important direction, and, like a focused beam of sunlight, "burn" any obstacles.
Beautifully and unusually filed the idea of \u200b\u200bself-realization with a reasonable egoism in the writings of Benedict Spinoza: "All the actions of the mind, connected to him, are excellent and should be appreciated above all others ... All actions made by us beyond yourself, the more perfect, the more opportunities in them Connect with us to form the same nature with us. For, therefore, they will suit the most in the inner action. " In a word, act so that this reflect your essence. Still famous and live a long life.
A bit distracted from the main topic, I can offer the "school reform" based on its concept. Each child receives his own mentor, who, firstly, monitors the daily development of his ward, and, secondly, it makes it all the child from an early age to detect and come into contact with its own individual inclinations. I mean "lessons of self-knowledge and self-development", and then "self-realization lessons". This kind of training is still technically impossible: a large number of creative mentors are required. As in a good sanatorium: two or three representative staff fall on one vacationer. However, let us return to the main topic.
Egoism allows a capable person to resist the oblique crowd, and the mind is not to bring the case to the conflict with her, remaining a law-abiding citizen and implementing himself in the field of individual creativity.
Being a egoist - "natural" for a person. After all, this quality is congenital and most manifested in young children. Only later the child learns to help others - the so-called altruism. Studies of psychologists also showed the presence of the majority of people a gap between the fact that ("good") they say that they actually do (two types of installations). Note that the second form is most often dictated by egoism, and not always reasonable. In this case, the open recognition of its egoistic properties will allow: a) stop experiencing a largely unnecessary sense of guilt; b) to be able to clearly explain (other people) the motives of their actions; c) Start aware of the work on the "media" of its egoism and the passing switching with the CSU on the Lou (see more about this, see the last chapter). Most people behave selfishly, but run from one mention of the word "egoism".
A reasonable egoist belongs to himself more attentively than to another simply because it knows better than himself and his preferences and can not always determine exactly what is required to her neighbor. Without giving money the homeless, you are most likely not encouraging his alcoholism. But if "in yourself" do not feel anything, then care for neighbor can become the best choice compared with the pursuit of material benefits. From the opposition "irrationalism, mysticism" - "Animal Egoism" must be leaving toward the intellectual, intelligent egoism.
Many people jealous of this "held" intelligent egoists (more precisely, their glory and money), but hardly want to make even half of their efforts spent. More than once heard from cadets that they would like to be the same psychologists like me. And the fact that the psychologist works daily, studies literature, it is intensively thinking, keeps himself in a rigid mode for maximum productivity, they do not take into account.
With ordinary animal egoism, everything is simple and understandable. I "Hapul", I got more, you have less. In a reasonable egoism associated with the implementation of its own unique features, "built-in" a large component of altruism. The genius creates, first of all, for himself, but the fruits of his activity go to ordinary people, and without difficulty on their part, just like that. Middle man gets in its use new technical devices, books, paintings, music, etc. And at the same time, it also calls gifted people with eccentrics, "not from this world", instead of standing in front of them to his knees and thank you for a long time. The Creator has to fight "Raw Material", and the mass consumer receives the final product in the finished and beautifully packaged form.
Than on a higher stage of gifting stands, the Creator is, the more in its activities "objective" altruism - benefits for other people. It turns out that more "unique and intelligence" personal egoism, especially since he is "altruisting", even if the genius creates "for himself", for his own pleasure. "The human life" there is nothing to look for "on Earth, except for her," said P.Sloterdayk in this regard.
By the way, in previous books, I assumed that every person should have unique abilities, since he "no coincidence" was born. And called upon the surrounding (including cadets and customers) to search and implement their uniqueness, finding the meaning of life. Now, more often, we tend to the point of view of one of the philosophers that "the people are a bypass maneuver of nature to receive six-seven ingenious personalities." At the same time, respects to each representative of the "People", since all people have the same rights, although completely different levels of abilities. Equality is a social concept, and not biological. And psychology is generally interested in individual properties and characteristics. So if you develop individuality, both the brain should be developed at the same time, because "where the mind lacks, there is not enough everything." But, as the reader understands, the achievement of his own happiness without span of egoism, individualism is impossible. In the meantime, most people represent, according to the expression of Psychiatrist G.S. Sallylien, "Caricature on those who they could become." Make life between necessary for survival, but unpleasant work and pleasant, but useless (or even harmful) "burning life." While the killed and implementing a talented individualist combines the necessary with pleasant - in contrast to the empty feast of the crowd, only in the future, the self-esteem of each of its members in perspective. An intelligent single continuously expands the boundaries of his consciousness, and the incomplete "team member" voluntarily narrows them, burying in the "fraternal grave" the remains of their personal advantages. It's too tired at work to work on yourself in your free time, chasing instead of easy and affordable pleasures. Unoccupied leisure for such a "member of society" may be even more challenged than hateful work.
It is no coincidence that the German philosopher Benno Hübner considers boredom a key aspect of the existence of not only a modern person, but also of all modern culture. And the current fuss is caused by nothing else, as a desire to get rid of (at least for a long time) from the meaninglessness of its own existence. Indeed, it is absurd when a person wins the time at the expense of faster types of transport, and then he does not know how to "kill" him. And nothing can snatch such an individual from an existential "black hole" in which he got. Do not develop the best that you have - get boredom mortal.
"Egoist reasonable" is guided by not traditional morality with its frozen concepts of good and evil, and situational ethics, in which each case is considered in an individual, unique key. And it is natural for a smart person: it will not stand at night on a deserted street, waiting for the red traffic signal to change the green! A reasonable egoist understands the relativity of any rules - after all, even parallel straight lines do not intersect only until they are on a flat surface. By itself, as any symbolism, including the state - only symbolia nothing more. This does not mean that a similar subject is experiencing contempt for various kinds of official symbols - he just does not think about them. At the same time, it realizes that a certain streamlining of life thanks to the state is still more favorable for him than wild chaos. An ideal social device for him would be meritocracy - the power of people most worthy and capable. Managing society should people who are smart and prepared, and not arrogant and threshing. To do this, and vote for smart people you need a "head", and not "heart." Then, the society of knowledge will come to the place of consumption society in which reasonable and gifted egoists will be the norm, and not exception. And the meritocrats will come to the bureaucrats. In the meantime, this will not happen, people will witness the periodic invasion of the "Barbar" power from the people, who, according to the Russian Minister of the Minister I. Kudrin, "it is silent, then suits the riot, meaningless and merciless."
By the way, a modern "massive man" and so received the fruits of progress in his own hands, many of whom were "grown" ingenious single for him. And the only thing that the representative of the crowd will never be able to takemine the genius - this is the work of his brain, his mind. Now it is clear why gifted people do not like, and gifted egoists - they do not like doubly. They have treasure in their heads, and they know how to use them - but, first of all, for themselves . While the bulk is lazy, swims downstream, angry, rejoices and fantasies.
The theory of social life developed by scientists is perfectly explained by the above phenomenon: people tend to work less intensively in groups than alone; This is due to a decrease in personal responsibility for the final result. Therefore, all sorts of idlers tend to adjust to a different kind of groups, where you can use the success of a more gifted member of the team, or simply "get lost" and "to figure out three." Two workers dig a trench, five stand and watch. At the same time pretend to be "involved." Such irresponsible lodges can lead only whistle whistle whistle. Own motivation, as well as an idea of \u200b\u200bpersonal uniqueness, they have no. As R. Emerson expressed in this regard, "the crowd is a binding bodies who voluntarily deprived himself."
The motto "one for all, all for one" is a typical example of collective irresponsibility, learned in the pioneer childhood. The first part (one for all) suggests the suffering of Jesus Christ: "If you are smarter than others, you will have and / or destroy." The second part (everything for one) draws a picture of the steps, where the defendant Lododor takes on the bars, and then "sit on the back" the best (most capable) members of the team.
Recent years, more and more evidence of the benefits of highly individualized labor are progress. It turns out people working alone (or, as a last resort, in a pair), they will express more good ideas than they are collected in large groups. This fact sets a question of another "sacred cow" called the brainstorming method. The further progress is, the more fighting the skill, and not by the number, the greater the need for gifted individuals. This is what Charles Lindberg said in childhood, Senator from Minnesota: "One boy is just a boy. Two boys are a floor. Three boys are not a boy at all. " When the boy Charles grew up, he is the first time in the history of the Atlantic Ocean on a small plane. Here is the "boy"!
Unfortunately, many individuals do not want to make efforts to find and implement their unique parties, since any cost of strength has a negative taste for them, associated with unloved work on "Uncle". Therefore, resting preferred "in contrast" - thoughtlessly lying under the sun on the background of palm trees.
Question questions: Does all people from birth possess unique qualities (or their deposits), the detection and use of which will allow you to live a happy and rich life? The exact answer is impossible to give, until there is no "instrument" or techniques to identify these properties. In life, we see that only a small percentage of citizens successfully manifests itself (according to A.Maslow, self-actualizing people are in total weight of less than 1%, and the need for self-actualization is implemented by about 10%). But this does not mean that everyone else needs to put a cross and consider them as non-primary performers - a person is able to develop. It is more useful to assume that an individual from birth has a certain potential (each it is quantitatively and efficiently), which can be "derived to the surface", is developed and implemented. Its use will allow each person to become a creator in his own business, to create a unique "primary product", and not engage in borrowing from others. To give the fruits of his creation to other people, without giving them at the same time (a unique person and brain).
And what about the person who, after reading this book and inspired, will begin to look for unique properties and does not find them? Plus on the book and on the author in the annoyance from the lost time? I try to be extremely clear and honest, as far as possible in this area of \u200b\u200bknowledge, and I can not guarantee you, dear readers, "invariably excellent result", as unfair advertising. I do not want to excite fanaticism in you or recruit supporters (since I myself adhere to the principle of moderation in contacts with the outside world). I just suggest you think about such an opportunity. And to realize: if something happens to you easily, elegant if it develops you and like you - this should be done, this is your happiness, your personal life mission, medicine from all problems. In my opinion, it is better to live so, not knowing yourself, all my life will perform "abstract-right" things (house, work, sanatorium; house, work, crematorium), to which the soul does not really lie (especially the last) .
Because a reasonable egoist himself adviser, he has internal freedom of choice, the need for so much psychologists say so much. Recently ended studies have discovered a bulk lifespan of those who can choose the time to come to work and leave it, the time of waste to sleep, etc. People with more developed self-consciousness are less likely cheating; Their words do not diverge with affairs. The affected, in turn, lead to an increase in self-esteem and develop many useful installations. Conversely, they say researchers, "the subordinate position reduces human self-efficacy. On the other hand, a slave who gained freedom is difficult to use it - he did not learn how to force himself.
Another example in favor of reasonable egoism is from the field of psychiatry. Some mental disorders are characterized not only by the distorted perception of the outside world, but also an internal feeling of emptiness. So, a reasonable egoism, with the help of which a person discovers its unique features, just fills it with high-quality internal content, and thus can be considered as a reliable means of prevention. Plus the development of its own brain, giving additional compensatory capabilities in the case of the "black strip" in life. Successfully implementing an individual who is not forgetting about the principle of moderation in contacts with the outside world, will not be an alcoholic or drug addict and never goes to suicide.
Such a person may not receive special recognition of its activities by the surrounding. Oddly enough, small "external" interest or even its complete absence is useful, since, first, they do not distract the Creator from work, but, secondly, they can stimulate his desire to prove their abilities to others, their potential. If aggressively achieve recognition, you can lose the "fine settings" of your activities and become "fruitless." Another extreme is unanimous delight and recognition - lead to elevated satisfaction, "spending on the laurels" and also quench the inner spark. As the poet said correctly, "you yourself should not be distinguished from victory."
The activities of "calling" is good in itself - after all, it serves as an inexhaustible source of pleasure (in contrast to the lower "disposable" pleasures). While the man is alive with his talents, until then he is given the joy of creativity. Interesting classes usually have many nuances, "shades", so the pleasure every time they happens differently. Yes, and the activity itself allows the consciousness of the Creator to maintain the right "points of reference" of reality (not to float the distance on the scale of pleasures), since it is associated with overcoming specific "material difficulties".
The person knows his strengths, thereby takes them under control - it will be learned to use the energy that the manifestation of these qualities gives. How not to remember Freud with his personal growth formula: "Where there was an ID (dark unconscious), the ego should be (consciousness, personality)." The increase in "Recognizable", healthy vital energy in turn allows you to get more pleasure from your own activities, enjoy life.
While most people are driven by external incentives, which they also control them, reasonable egoers have mainly internal control locus. This type of control show research is positively associated with the stress resistance and endurance of man. Such a person is oriented, first of all, on personal achievements, and not the surface popularity of Carnegian spill.
A certain degree of egoism and its implementation in activities leads to the formation of self-efficacy - the ability to achieve goals, not passing before difficulties. The emerging sense of competence in "his" activity makes it difficult to solve problems, instead of reflecting on your own inadequacy.
The experiments of psychologists show that a man is "born by an egoist" and only as mature learns to measure their interests with public. A person who discovered his uniqueness is automatically becoming a reasonable egoist, since he has no competitors in his "his" field of activity, but there is a huge space for the work of the mind. A gifted person on the path of self-realization is simply forced to make a moderate relationship with the outside world - in order to guide its main forces in the field of creativity, where he has no equal.
Psychologists at one time discovered two main types of human motivation: the desire to achieve success and the desire to avoid failure. Most people prevail some kind of tendency. Why limit yourself? Thanks to their own moderation, we will avail (large) failure, and with the help of reasonable egoism we will seek unique personal success. In this case, a slightly overestimated self-esteem will be the best shock absorber of anxiety. Two in one!
A reasonable egoist opposes any mysticism with his irrational support for feelings as an instrument of knowledge of the surrounding world and bringing the intellect. Hence the direct road to superstitions and delirium schizophrenic, who believes in the ability to manage external events with their desires. A reasonable egoist will not allow himself to confuse all sorts of verbal. In such cases, it easily includes its skepticism, and, if necessary, healthy cynicism, because it understands the axiom: "If you do not impose your priorities in my diary, it means that they will be strangers." Anyway, in realism there is always a vital fault, which can be interpreted by others as cynicism. "I am not quinic at all, I just have experience - this is approximately the same thing," Oscar Wilde said once.
We will emphasize: developed man must Be to some extent selfish to fully show your abilities. At the same time, his mind contributes to the "neat" manifestation of his individuality to accidentally do not harm the surrounding, living very other values. In this regard, it is impossible not to recall the beautiful statement of the French writer Alexis de Tokville: "Individualists are not obliged to anyone and are unlikely to be waiting for anything from others. They are accustomed to thinking about themselves in the separation of others, and believe that their fate depends exclusively from them themselves. " If I do not expect that someone will help me "just so," it means internally ready for possible difficulties and misfortunes. In principle, I am ready even to the worst thing that can happen. Ready to accept it, survive, and live on. It should be noted that the technique of the "assumption of the worst" is a powerful admission to the Rapti Albert Ellis system. If, for example, a woman is experiencing jealousy about (possible) to betray her husband, it can be useful to mentally plunge into the worst version of the development of events (divorce and loneliness) to make sure that it will be relatively happy in these conditions. Such "vaccinations" with competent use can significantly weaken the problem experiences, and regardless of whether the husband actually changes her. The "center of gravity" is gradually transferred to the internal space of personality. Fear and false hopes go.
A reasonable egoist is definitely more optimistic than the opposite. About me and our own opportunities - a little better than others (predisposition in favor of your own I); About the world - a little better than it is in fact, and its chances in it are slightly higher than real (moderate optimism). A wonderful bouquet of qualities, isn't it? It was no coincidentally mentioned Ain Rand considered egoism of unconditional virtue, and hedonism and Altruism despised. Indeed, with reasonable egoism, a fair exchange is always there, and not roving or hidden manipulation.
Some psychologists (as well as representatives of Oriental Religions) prefer to see people as interdependent community members associated with a different invisible threads, "ropes". An interesting doll metaphor on rollers - let's look at it in more detail. First of all, we note that at the heart of a set of "garters" lies the fear of helplessness. If one of the "dolls" ceases to move, then the ropes will not let her fall. And even if you fall, other dolls will slowly and patiently drag her forward (like burlaci ship). Before death, the doll will serve a ritual glass of water.
If some of the dolls will turn around the majority of the rods, then the freedom will be received as a reward in any direction. True, for this, the doll should be smart, strong and confident: no one will come to her help in case of falling. "Tied" with each other, the communion in secretly envy her freedom and are waiting for it "slip." Most people sacrifice the possibility of individual achievements for the sake of support and security. Some sports, especially solo-mountaineering, to which I am so breathing, represent the "roller of the ropes" to the maximum and therefore they meet so ambiguous attitude. Full freedom, including freedom to die.
A reasonable egoist understands his personal uniqueness and is not trying to build his life in accordance with the unattainable ideals, suppressing natural human reactions. He feels an integral subject and therefore does not oppose the "good" and "bad" (from the point of view of the traditional church morality) of his personality. The desire for pleasure, humor and the immediacy of peacefully get along with responsibility and hardworking. Its mind correctly defines the context in which this or that quality will be used in a timely manner. At the same time, he is able to notice the mistakes made, correct them and learn to them. Such a person avoids not only external, but also internal shackles (for example, dependence on drugs) and seeks where only you can make life easier to devote more time self-realization. Psychologically mature subject does not need external authorities, because he lives his Life, not someone else's life. A reasonable egoist understands the need for some separateness from others - in order to achieve greater freedom. As expressed in this regard, the world-famous Austrian climber Reinehard Messner, "I do not intend to raise any flags on tops. My nasal handkerchief is my flag. "
Therefore, sometimes such a person is building, and sometimes destroys barriers. After all, adulthood includes an understanding that only you yourself know the most suitable lifestyle for you. Only you and no one else. For such a person, there are no "good" and "bad" qualities, "clean" and "unclean", and there are timely and untimely. Moreover, in a holistic and balanced personality, one pole can not without the other: it is allocated only in contrast with his opposite. Do not be humble - there would be no authoritarianism, etc. So different poles in the psyche of a person must "be friends" and interact. Announcement of one of the poles "good", and the other - "bad" immediately causes a person to recognize his inferiority and, moving towards the alleged "pole, to fall under the influence of various sorts of charlatans and manipulators (see chapters about sects). If I, for example, consider selflessness higher value than egoism, then in order to "spiritual perfection" and (vychny) fighting with its egoism, I "give up" to the church, after which you can put a cross in my personal uniqueness - in every sense of this the words. After all, now my life will be subordinate not only to the unattainable ideal, but also to those specific people who declare themselves with the "link link" between the earth and the sky. By the way, the subjects seeking to master the "highest" spiritual values \u200b\u200boffered by the religion are also selfishly selfish: after all, they wish to earn eternal pleasures after death. Isn't it egoism? The man is unbelieving, who behaves morally in accordance with the internal values, deserves much more praise.
The quality I write about has my own "counterweight" - as a mind and in the form of moderation. As they say, three in one! Thanks to this balance, the person is not growing "stitching", the assist interests of others, but "swell", realizing itself as a unique person. After all, thanks to selfishness, we can better preserve our own identity and creative beginning. By the way, he does not cancel his opposite - Altruism, when there really is a need for it. For example, this applies to love, empathizing close people, in one word, all that forms reliable relationships. After all, we want people around us too happy! But I will not be sacrificed for this.
By the way, a few words about Altruism - the ability to disinterestedly help people. Research of psychologists show that we are not born with this quality, but learn to him as we grow up. Alas, but no externally altruistic act cannot be considered completely free from selfish motifs: explicit egoism (desire to get encouragement or avoid punishment) and hidden egoism (desire to preserve or improve their own mental state with the help of an altruistic act). Talking briefly, we are submitting alms or rent donor blood to increase self-esteem to consider yourself more "worthy" and "good" people. So the external deed of man and its inner motives are far from always the same.
If a person is unreasonable Egoist-egocentric, which has no internal brakes and counterweights, then for its binding is just necessary "external" structures in the form of psychiatrists, police police, etc. Since it is exactly a similar individual puts on others in order to obtain their help and approval of "beloved". While a sensible egoist is engaged in self-development and simply enjoys life without interfering with others and do not expect "pink elephants" from them.
Of course, altruism, like egoism, can be unreasonable. As an example, a person suffered from schizophrenia, which bought tea in a warehouse in a low (wholesale) price, and then sold it to other people for the same price.
In the modern system of psychotherapy called Rapt (rational-emotional-behavioral therapy), moderate egoism is placed in the first place among other aspects of mental health. This is how it characterizes this concept. The founder of Rapt Albert Ellis: "Emotionally healthy person, first of all, is honest himself in front of him and Masohistski does not donate for others. His kindness and attention to the other are in many ways come from the idea that he himself wants to enjoy freedom from unnecessary pain and restrictions. Therefore, most likely, he is ready to give his strength and time if it helps to create a world in which the rights of others, as well as its own, are not limited to without sufficient reason. " Rapti warmly welcomes long-term, i.e. Moderate hedonism, which does not lead to the destructive consequences for the physical health and human psyche. "Moderate Hedonists" understand that they will live long, so you can not put everything on the card for the sake of obtaining momentary benefits and tempting temptations. And here, as you can see, the intellect allows you to find a balance between the present and future.
If you take such spheres of human life as a religion and business, we will see that religion limits the material needs of a person, encouraging moderation, but condemning any kind of egoism. While the business encourages egoism (and not always reasonable), but he often lacks moderation. One of the sharp moments in this issue is the ratio of personal interest and public good - the so-called problem of community pastures, as it is formulated by social psychologists. If there is a common meadow, on which the cows graze all the villagers, then I get up in front of the dilemma: have one cow or several. If a few, then my cows will be fused only until other residents follow my (egoistic) example. In this case, the flock will grow too much, the grass in the meadow will quickly disappear, and there will begin the fall of cattle from hunger. If each inhabitant will have on one cow (there will be a burden of voluntary moderation that, alas, all cows will be able to feed themselves.
From my point of view, solving problems of this kind is on the way of developing a reasonable egoism by each specific person. For example, if I find unique personal features, thanks to the implementation of which I can live a happy life, to benefit people, data features not having, and thereby earn money, it is hardly wanting to have a cow. It will be easier for me to go and buy milk in the store than to engage in an unloved business, watching his borer. The same applies to other residents, with the exception of one - two, having a "unique tendency" to work with cows. Well, they themselves will understand what a herd on the village meadow.
In addition, if I focus on my individual inclinations, then automatically starting to behave "modestly" and moderately in other areas, which now just do not interest me. Here it is possible to solve the problem of community pastures. Moreover, the decision is modern: it takes into account the high technical level of production and its effectiveness, as well as the satisfaction of the "lower", physiological needs for the era of commodity abundance. People wishing to show their own LU (personal uniqueness), no need to keep a cow for this side.
Theorem can be proved from the opposite: individuals who did not find their talents are just inclined to "burning life" associated with the unlimited consumption of environmental resources. Again, as we see, the lack of internal quality is replaced by an external amount.
In short, reasonable egoism is simply necessary for a person who wants to gain happiness through creativity and self-realization. In this, he will help the research "predisposition in favor of one's own", which is peculiar to any normal optimist. Well, with its excessive severity, it will be useful to "include" moderation, again returning the external and internal balance.
The society imposes his standards and norms of behavior, following which people often become unhappy. We are taught since childhood that you need to put the interests of other people above our own, and those who do not follow this rule are called selfish and rigid. Today, psychologists and philosophers have become a discussion on the theme of healthy egoism, which, in their opinion, should be present in each person. Examples from the life of a reasonable egoism for understanding children will be further discussed on this page "Popular about health".
What is a reasonable egoism?
To begin with, it is worth declaring what this term means. For people who grew up in a society, where any egoism condemns, it will be difficult to feel this thin line between the two concepts - egocentrism and altruism. To understand the definition, it should be remembered first who are egoists and altruists.
Egoists are people who always put their interests above the interests of other people. They are looking for their own benefits and care in all matters, to achieve the goal they use any methods, go through the heads. They will not even stop the fact that they will harm other people with their actions. They are too self-confident, their self-esteem is greatly overestimated.
Altruists - the full opposite of selfish people. Their self-esteem is so low that they are ready to sacrifice all for the sake of others. Such people are easily responded to the requests of others, they are ready to postpone their affairs, including important to help another person.
Now, when both concepts are considered, it is easier to realize what reasonable egoism is. I am expressed by simple words, it is a "golden mean" between two extremes - egocentrism and altruism. Healthy or sensible egoism is not negative, but positive quality, it should not be condemned in society. Thanks to healthy egoism, a person becomes happier.
Why healthy egoism is useful?
Reasonable egoism is useful for a person for the following reasons:
It helps to gain adequate self-esteem;
- thanks to this quality, a person is able to achieve many of its goals, while not harming others;
- A reasonable egoist does not miss the opportunities opening before him and is able to enjoy life fully;
"Thanks to this quality, a person knows how to refuse to people, if it considers it necessary, it does not aggravate the feeling of guilt, debt and responsibilities in front of others.
Does the above mean that a reasonable egoist is not able to help people around him? No, does not mean. Such people are able to come to the rescue, but at the same time they will not sacrifice their health, life, the interests of the family for the sake of others.
Guided by sound egoism, these people will first weigh all the "for" and "against", after which they will accept an informed decision. We can say that they evaluate the situation, looking far away. If a reasonable egoist considers that he gave way to someone today, he will find a blessing further, he will definitely go.
Examples of reasonable egoism from life for children
While children grow, they need to put a balanced look at things. It is impossible to call them egoists if they defend their interests, while not harming others. Of course, to explain to children that such a reasonable egoism is needed on the examples, it is desirable on its own, because the kids do not listen to us, they look at us.
A typical example of a healthy egoism will show mom, who does not give the last child, and divides it all in half. In society will immediately find those who will say - a bad mother, children give the best. But she looks into the future, because when the son or daughter grow up, they will understand that Mom loved them, and themselves. If my mother always gives everything to children, they will just grow real egoists, because for them this is the norm that Mom will give the latter to be good for them, while sacrificing their desires and needs.
Consider another example of the manifestation of healthy egoism, it will be understood by the children. Suppose Vasya gathered a collection of stickers on the subject of the famous cartoon, she is very expensive. And Petya still did not have time to assemble the full collection, he lacks 2 stickers. He asked Vasi one missing for his collection. A child with a healthy egoism will be able to refuse the pave, because he spent a lot of time and effort to find the right pictures. Altruist, most likely, will give a friend all missing pictures. And the example of unhealthy egocentrism in this situation will be Petya, if she steals the stickers you need, having received a refusal, or will achieve them with other methods - pressure, blackmail, force.
In the situation described, there may be a different outcome - a reasonable egoist Vasya can take another decision, give a friend missing pictures, if it is much more important to relationship with a friend. A person who has a balanced look at his own "I", freely makes decisions, while he may refuse to help or help, but he does not cause anyone harm.
Another example is in an airplane, if it crashes a wreck, the oxygen mask of the mother should be put on over with himself, and then - to the child. This does not mean that she wants to escape herself by anything. She saves himself to be able to help the baby.
As we found out, be selfish - bad, altruist - also, but to have a balanced look at self-esteem and self-sacrifice - right. Such people are easier to achieve goals and achieve success, without destroying the relationship with others, without harming them.
