The Selfishness Project – Exploring the idea of selfishness

Conversation with a Christian – Episode 34

Why live for others (like Jesus) instead of for oneself? The “tree” and its “fruit.” Original sin, free will, and explaining the differences between people. How to change oneself for the better. Ayn Rand and selfishness, and the case of divorce. ( 1 hr 18 min. )

Is being a veterinarian selfless or selfish? Is morality subjective? – Episode 33

Is being a veterinarian (or doctor) selfless or selfish? Mother Teresa. Selfless person vs. selfless action. Is it bad to put oneself ahead of others? Is morality subjective? Is it arbitrary? ( 28 min. )

A new ideal – Episode 32

Would you give money to a homeless person? If so, how much? What would Mother Teresa do? Will you always feel guilty for not emulating her? A new ideal (Ayn Rand). Systemic (political) change. ( 16 min. )

Jeff Bezos, Amazon, and selfishness – Episode 31

Who is the most selfish person you can think of? Jeff Bezos and Amazon. Should Bezos give money away, and, if so, how much? Is it just a matter of personal preference as to how much money (if any) one should give away? Being a selfish person without being a bad person. Is selfishness sometimes bad and sometimes not? How should “selfish” be defined? Passive harm. Employee benefits. ( 27 min. )

Robinson Crusoe, etc. – Episode 30

Is altruism (e.g., Mother Teresa) good? What’s the opposite of Mother Teresa? Can one live for oneself but not at the expense of others? Robinson Crusoe—is he good? Choice and moral evaluation. A standard of judgment. Respect and harm. Universal values/truths or relativism/subjectivism? ( 28 min. )

What is the self? – Episode 29

What is the self? The self as the mind. Does the self include the body? The self as the intellect (vs. as the emotions) since it is the part of the mind directly under one’s volitional control. What does “self” mean in the context of the idea that it’s good to be “selfish”? The process of getting the idea of a “self.” Are things in one’s environment part of one’s “self”? Three senses of “self.” Personal identity: What makes someone the same person across time? Using focus to get distance from bodily pain. Emotions as always present. The will/volition and the intellect/reason. Ayn Rand’s vs. Eastern conceptions of “self.” Losing your self in your work (or other activities). ( 1 hr 36 min. )

Sharing food on a lifeboat, helping the homeless, etc. – Episode 28

Selfishness in Iran and the United States. Are you selfish if you do something good for yourself? Is eating breakfast selfish? Sharing food on a lifeboat—with a murderer. Is selfishness sometimes good? If so, when? Helping the homeless—how much? Are good and bad subjective? ( 1 hr 17 min. )

Are we missing a word? – Episode 27

Is it good to be a selfish person? If an action is selfish because it helps you benefit others should it be called “selfish”? How would you define “selfish”? Can you be selfish on a desert island? Is our language missing a word? ( 8 min. )

Treasures in heaven – Episode 26

Who is the most selfish/selfless person you can think of? What makes Jesus perfect? Why is it good to be selfless? If heaven is better than Earth, why not end your life now? What if selflessness didn’t benefit you—would you still be selfless? If so, why? Is being motivated by treasures in heaven selfish? ( 11 min. )