Egoism And Altruism By Louis P. Pojman

Improved Essays
In the critique “Egoism and Altruism,” Louis P. Pojman strongly rejects the idea of Ayn Rand that everyone should have and egoist morality by explaining the “false dilemma” created between egoism and altruism. He explains that her idea of egoism stating that she believes “selfishness is a virtue and altruism is a vice.” He argues that while some egoist traits are morally necessary, such as self-love and self-interest, they should not be brought about or acted upon at the cost of someone else’s happiness. The idea that one ought to “love thy neighbor as yourself” means to treat everyone with the same respect and dignity that you treat yourself with, not to harm a stranger for your own happiness or joy. He argues against Rand’s theory by stating

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