Altruism vs Egoism

At times concepts arise in philosophy, science, and religion that are difficult to falsify but prove dangerous. The naivety of egoism seems an innocent philosophical debate, but it slows societal progress and is inherently destructive. The ethical egoist insists that following one's self-interest is morally correct without exception. That living creatures seek viability through individualism and that Darwin's survival of the fittest is proof of this theory. Some have even argued that the selfish gene theory corroborates this idea, but quite the opposite is true. Altruistic behavior is such that the survival of the whole is more important than the individual. Altruistic behavior is in moral alignment with our ideals, but it is also built into our genetic makeup.

Egocentrism suggests that one's self-interest has more value than the interest of the group or of other individuals. Intrinsically we understand that collective ideas, opinions, and values are a necessary component for the structure of society. The foundation of ethical and moral behavior is the understanding that the system is larger and more complex than the specific persons involved. Sharing and collaboration are necessary for survival on a grander scale. Morality is a system built for civilization to cooperate, thrive and transform. Paradoxically one cannot act in one's best interest without working in the best interest of the whole. The intention of morality is to care about others. You cannot be simultaneously self-interested and moral. Egoism defies the definition of morality. It is counterintuitive as it is not in one's best interest to only act in one's best interest or to even think that one should act in one's best interest.

Physical and psychological traits lead to the survival of the individual or the survival of the colony. Bees and ants, for example, are genetically altruistic. Natural selection insists that the survival of a larger population is necessary for genes to be inherited. The process is not effective with a limited number of individuals. The diversity of genes is essential for mutations and species to evolve. This would suggest that egoism is an evolutionary disadvantage, not an advantage. The fitness of life on earth is determined by altruism. One could even imagine one system more extensive, say earth, for example, and may see how biodiversity is an example of genetic diversity. By not caring for that system, we are breaking down totality. Natural selection helps the host survive, and teamwork is necessary for a cohesive population. A system without diversity cannot create new information. Ethical egoism is progressional death. Altruism is a built-in feature of evolution.

At this point, you should be asking yourself. So, I am part of a system that is part of a bigger system that is part of an even bigger system. Where do I begin, and where do I end? That's it. You don't. There is no line. Once you comprehend that you are not a self but that we are a self, then this argument becomes a moot point. One does not exist without the other. There is no us and them; there is just us. The network of existence is more complex than we may describe in this short essay, but the point is obvious. Without the self, there is no egoism, and altruism is just the self-preservation of a rational structure.

Life is complicated, entangled, and massive. Egoism suggests otherwise. It is an individualistic, short-sighted, unrealistic, and a blatantly dangerous concept. Egocentrism is unsupported by facts of any depth and should be eliminated from teachings and discussions unless to show its danger. Surely, we can move past the outdated ideas of Ayn Rand. It is unfortunate that some feel the need to argue points that degrade society, civilization, and evolution. Narcissistic ideals punish the whole for the individual. These selfish ideas do not reflectthe breadth of the world's workings or the colony of life in which we live. As long as we continue to present these archaic ideas, we risk misinterpreting the information as logical and arguable.

On a physical level, organisms must endure to procreate. Darwin is correct that survival of the fittest allows the strongest to prevail. Self-preservation of the subject is essential. It is also true that selfish genes will protect the species above the individual. Most actions are not purely altruistic or egoistic and people are not merely selfish or charitable. The complexity of these genetic inheritances requires egoism and altruism to exist synchronously. Humans and society are not one or the other. Like most aspects of existence, they are opposite forces that are interconnected and perfectly balanced. A complex unifying dance of give and take, and a poetic harmony of the colossal mechanism that is life.