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To: js1138
Altruism and capitalism are not mutually exclusive.

If pressed, I think LogicWings would say that he's talking about compulsory altruism -- such as that which is inherent in the welfare state. Voluntary benevolent acts are no problem, and many make a great deal of sense.

First, self interest is not automatically identical with selfishness. Self interest can and must include maintenance of the community in which one lives, just as housecleaning, though work, improves our level of comfort.

Same issue as above. I might voluntarily give to support a school, or to establish a scholarship. One might give to suport medical research. Again, no problem. But when I'm taxed (forced altruism) to support welfare queens, I'm the victim of evil -- no other way to look at it. Also, while I'm on the topic of "voluntary" benevolence, if I've been brainwashed into believing that it's my duty to ignore my own needs so I can support welfare queens, I've been the victim of kooks.

Second, self interest is subjective, and many people enjoy being altruistic. Christianity seeks to foster this in people in whom this motive is latent.

Once more, voluntary benevolence is fine with me. But there are some people who interpret scripture to support hatred of wealth. There have been "bible communists" throughout history, including the Mayflower passangers (who, to their great credit, had the good sense to abandon it after their first disastrous year).

1,227 posted on 03/02/2003 8:55:34 AM PST by PatrickHenry (Felix, qui potuit rerum cognoscere causas)
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To: Condorman
Invisible placemarker
1,229 posted on 03/02/2003 11:08:40 AM PST by Condorman
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To: PatrickHenry
I don't recall mentioning or implying anything involuntary. Anyone reading my post without prejudice would see that I was referring to an inner motivation, one that most of us are born with. But admittedly to varying degrees. Those of us who believe in evolution would classify humans a social animals, implying that self interest and altruism are complementary.
1,242 posted on 03/02/2003 4:59:36 PM PST by js1138
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To: PatrickHenry; js1138; LogicWings
Here's a quote on the subject by someone widley purported to be the most influencial Christian thinker and English language writer of the century of misguided altruism/compassion:

"Of all tyrannies a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated, but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end, for they do so with the approval of their own conscience."
-C. S. Lewis
1,284 posted on 03/03/2003 4:47:51 PM PST by unspun (The most terrorized place in America is a mother's womb.)
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