Submitted by BernardJOrtcutt t3_101da0m in philosophy
[deleted] t1_j35mxei wrote
Reply to comment by Accomplished-Dig3991 in /r/philosophy Open Discussion Thread | January 02, 2023 by BernardJOrtcutt
First of all, what do you define evil as?
Let's take people who do good acts to make themselves feel better, i.e. to boost their confidence or self-value. What makes that evil? If this act benefits everyone maximally, isn't it actually the highest good (since it hurts no one)?
Why must complete altruism be the only good?
Can complete altruism even be achieved? Is there any virtuous act that I can commit without affecting myself in a good or bad way? Can I commit an act that benefits others while not affecting myself?
Going back to people who act in terms of non-materialistic confidence or self-value. Someone who volunteers because helping others makes them feel happy. Assuming that they were given your mask (or the Ring of Gyges), wouldn't they continue to commit acts that help others?
On a sidenote, I would recommend reading on Epicurus. He shared your belief that humans are hedonists, but challenges you in your ethical conclusions from that belief.
ElegantAd2607 t1_j3l2gxb wrote
Technically a perfectly selfless act would be to give your life for a stranger. There is no personal gain because you dont know the person or what they're gonna do in the future.
I guess that's why Jesus is seen as the perfect man. He died for the world. For people he didn't know.
Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments