Selfishness

1206 Paper #3. In the introduction to her collection of essays on ethical philosophy, The Virtue of Selfishness, Rand writes that the "exact meaning" of selfishness is "concern with one's own interests." Rand's argument for the definition of selfishness is that it does not include a moral evaluation; it does not tell us whether concern with one's own interest is good or evil. She states that selfishness' has become a synonym to the word evil'. On the other hand, Altruism which means…

Humans have always shown selfish characteristics. Selfishness was discussed in Nicomachean Ethics, which was written by Aristotle back in 340 BC. In the book, he criticized people who lived through life to only benefit themselves. Other stories have warned against self-centeredness as well. The Greeks spoke of Narcissus, a man who loved himself so much that he fell in love with his own reflection and eventually died of old age. This tale, from which the term “narcissism” originates from, dates…

Within these matter of days, Romeo managed to marry a girl, kill a man, receive banishment, commit suicide, all while only thinking about himself. Within these events Romeo’s selfishness is revealed. The reader’s eyes are opened to how he abandons his family, kills a man while trying to defend his honor, and some very rash decisions. Although Romeo and Juliet ended with many dead and many selfish decisions made by Romeo, his selfish…

course of the book. Huck starts off as reckless and unaware of the problems his actions cause. Huck is relevant to a teenager during their developing years into adulthood. This shows the evident careless actions and what damage they could cause. Selfishness can lead to survival and the careless act of family relations. Huck, at the beginning of the novel is blind and egotistical, later he realizes the importance of family and the comfort along the way. Huck develops into a evident young man that…

different the drive is the same. What makes selfishness, pride, and careless live within us today have the same causes as in the past. Money and ego. That is what is important to humans. How they look to others and how much green they have locked away. In the eyes of a mortal, without the material things in life one would be nothing. Every day we have to make hundreds of decisions. From the moment we choose to…

Remember when your first grade teacher said “Always help yourself before others ?” What if that was just a way to cover up the true instincts of humans, selfishness. As caring and considerate as we might look on a day to day basis, in struggle for survival the fastest to bring out their inner instincts win out at the expense of their rivals. Elie Wiesel, in his famous memoir Night showcases the true nature of humans with the character Elie. As we follow Elie through traumatising events during…

Shakespeare depicts the climax of Lear’s selfishness in Act 3, Scene 2, the storm. Although it could be seen as the climax of Lear’s madness, it is not. This is only the point at which all of Lear’s rage is let loose, as he screams at the heavens to do their worst. It is the climax of his selfishness because Lear refuses to accept any responsibility for his misfortune, proclaiming, “I am a man // More sinned against than sinning.”(3.2.62) At this stage Lear believes all his misfortune has been…

Selfish qualities in a person are usually looked down on in society because it is such a negative attribute. Being around a selfish person makes people feel unwanted or uncared for which is what makes selfishness a bad quality. The author uses this quality in his stories in order to show the state the villages were in before the outsiders came. When the outsiders first appeared in the story it was very clear that the villagers were selfish. They only cared about themselves and never thought of…

Selfishness is Peace A world without compassion is like a world without sunshine. A dark, self-centered atmosphere is the setting of the dystopian novel 1984 by George Orwell. Winston, the protagonist, and Julia claim to be in love; however, love is a distant and forbidden concept in their home, Oceania. In London, Oceania The Party wants supreme power, so they control all aspects of life. Both Julia and Winston dislike The Party, but they have different views when it comes to dealing with the…

Jealousy is selfishness and ignorance that can cause conflict and even the end of a friendship. The realistic fiction novel, A Separate Peace, is written by John Knowles. This novel revolves around the friendship of two young boys, Gene Forrester and Phineas who go to the Devon School in England during World War II. The boys enlisted in this school in hope of one day going into the army. Gene and Finny who were roommates had grown to be inseparable, but as they began to grow up, their…