Neuroscientific insights point to three key characteristics of human nature: emotionality (we are far more emotional than we think we are, and emotionality play a central role in decision - making), amorality (we are born amoral and our moral compass is developed in the course of our existence), and egoism (we are driven to survival, which is a basic
form of egoism, i.e. preservation of the self).
The drive for survival of the self — a basic
kind of egoism — is a principle motivation for human beings, as it must be for the evolutionary process to function.
One uncommon feature of Whitehead's character was the
absence of egoism, of impulse to push himself forward.
Delving even deeper, there is evidence that inculcating the values of homo economicus leads people to suppress empathy and solidarity in
favor of egoism and opportunism.
He argues that we have come to a point where we must recognize that the secular
values of egoism and contract and the ideology of contexualism simply can not sustain crucial aspects of our civilization.
Neglect of education and the failure to understand may both be the
result of egoism.»
Internal and external distress carries the deadly
danger of egoism, because it tempts a man to think only of himself, to be only concerned with his own affairs and thus to increase his distress by his self - centred loneliness in a vicious circle.
Observing that the rates of clinical depression in the U.S. have tripled in the past quarter century of increased choice, Schwartz echoes Durkheim's proposition that suicide rates are directly proportional to
rates of egoism and anomie.
Accountabilities in individualisms and of socialisms are but dogged increments that neither do well amidst the ever amassing
fundaments of egoisms» parlored affluencies!
Karl Löwith suggests that the real
meaning of egoism versus altruism is the question of whether we relate to others for our sakes or for theirs.
JK: When I read what you said about personal immortality, while I'm inclined to agree with a lot of it — for example, your
rejection of egoism — I still have some difficulties with it.
«The only escape from the
polarity of egoism and altruism,» he says, «lies in the selflessness experienced by those who lose themselves in their work, in the effort to master a craft or a body of knowledge, or in the acceptance of a formidable challenge that calls on all their resources.»
In the international system, states (as individuals in societies) are socialized into norms and security communities, where the
notion of egoism is strongly challenged.
Instead, these long epics become somewhat tedious and there is a strong
whiff of egoism and self - indulgence.
Nevertheless, it all starts with the inherent, dominant
culture of egoism within economics teaching.
States, as individuals, are selfish actors insofar as they will always pursue those actions that will guarantee their survival, which is a basic
form of egoism.
Since Christ lived, died and rose again for all mankind, catholicity is the opposite of all
kinds of egoism and particularism.
This is a basic form
of egoism.