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Being selfish and well intentioned are not incompatible, as long as being selfish includes the well being of those you care about and those you care about inclu
by alexashka 7y ago
Being selfish and well intentioned are not incompatible, as long as being selfish includes the well being of those you care about and those you care about includes many people.
The many people bit is problematic due to our brain's make-up.
- xtian 7y agoWhich aspect of the make-up of our brains limits caring about many people?
- c22 7y agoGP is probably thinking of Dunbar's number[0] and making a distinction between caring concretely about specific individuals and caring more abstractly about the plight of many strangers. It's possible to "care" about the health and well being of arbitrary groups of people, but it really takes knowing and understanding their specific problems to make actual care effective. [0]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunbar%27s_number https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunbar%27s_number
- xtian 7y agoDunbar's number has to do with the ability to maintain "stable social relationships", not "care". And I reject the notion that a recognition of shared humanity takes place in the abstract.
- c22 7y agoPlease don't twist my words. I said nothing about the recognition of shared humanity, nor was I attempting to make any sort of deep philosophical stand. I was merely attempting to answer your specific question about the OP's viewpoint as I understood it.