- last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT
After reading everyones view regarding Obbi's thoughts on The Ego, and after futher discussion with Obbi, I feel this thread could generate some interesting conversation.
I will copy+paste some of the conversation-My point is easier to understand this way.
Obbi : To deny yourself who you are, your feelings, your drives and aspiration, is denying yourself the right to live.
Stalin the 31 : But what if your ambition is to really hurt someone?
Obbi : Then you as a person should embrace that. Society, having different views and of course looking down on that behavior, will also respond according to their drive - and you will be punished by them. If you also wish not to be caught, then do it so you won't be.
Stalin the 31st : But surely this is a very selfish attitude-Being willing to ruin someones life, purely because it is your aspiration?
Obbi : All attitudes are selfish.
Is this true? Are all attitudes selfish?
Assuming this, then the following statement is true- If I were to go out to... Oh I don't know, help build a water pipe in Sudan, this action would be considered selfish. Just as selfish as if I decided to stay at home, eat copious amounts of food and laugh at the poor starving citizens of Sudan.
I apologise if my point is difficult to understand- It is not explained well.
I supose i should pose some sort of questions to answer- it may make things easier.
1. Are all actions selfish, regardless of the results? Should all actions be considered selfish because you choose to do what you want to do? Or should the results of your actions be taken into consideration as well?
2. If the embracement of your ego means that another human being will be hurt very badly, is it ethically right to embrace your ego?
3. Is there such a thing as being selfless?
If anyone else can understand what I am saying, and has a better way of explaining it, by all means do. I am tired having just got home from work-My lack of an ability to explain things well is to be expected.
[Edited on 8/21/2004 11:53:28 AM]