The Difference Between The Civil War and WWII

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I don't care if you don't care...
<pout and stamp foot on ground>

I was simply making a "clinical" point, and not being dismissive of the cultural virtue/benefit of selflessness...
I am, after all, a Vulcan...

I hope you aren't getting defensive in regards to philosophical/existential sensitivities...relating to yourself or others...

I consciously gave my allegiance to Truth when I was 22...
Given the fact that I am autistic with a natural affinity with being honest, it wouldn't be that hard to understand for most of those on the spectrum...
As a result, I put Truth first and foremost regardless of whether or not it is good, bad or ugly...even though there are some intellectual constructs even I still can't voice openly because of the hidden tyranny most in "The Matrix" can't see...
In other words, I took the Red pill and not the Blue...


As I say in my signature: "Truth may be inconvenient but it is never politically incorrect"...
I suspect there are many who don't seem to understand the concept...
What can you do? <shrug>

Am I reading too much into your comment?

Somewhat.

I believe at least some of “enlightened self interest” is an attempt to absolve one’s self of the responsibility for the happiness of others.

That is a question of *intent*...

Being motivated in avoiding guilt is different from being motivated by the desire to gain insight...

Are you saying it is impossible to be purely academic in striving to achieve greater enlightenment?
That there is always self-interest involved even in more self-aware individuals?
This can be easily circumvented by being generous in addition to searching for the "truth"...

But consider if the simple self-interest is simply the gain of greater comprehension...
Surely this doesn't tarnish the intellectual equation?

Being objective (within realistic human parameters) is not an easy discipline to first develop and then maintain, but surely it is possible...
It is the requisite of court judges to be objective, for example...
Using the same tools associated with objectivity in a court room can be used in other contexts, surely...

Edit <sp>

Last edited by Pepe on 01 Feb 2018, 3:32 am, edited 1 time in total.

I’m saying the opposite, really.

I’m saying there frequently is purely altruistic motives within the intentions behind altruistic acts.

I'm am not arguing...
I am just saying what drives these intrinsic altruistic impulses simply satisfies the psychological environment as a result of the biological mechanism of the brain of the individual concerned...
It is still self-satisfying...self serving...
Why would it be anything else?

A sadist is motivated by his/her pleasure in inflicting pain...
An altruist gains satisfaction through good deeds...
Both are motivated differently, dependant on their unique neurological makeup, but ultimately it is the same electro-chemical mechanism in play...

There have been medical studies involving people with brain trauma...
In many stroke victims, the personality of the individual is radically altered due to brain damage...
I.E. There is no over riding personality or "soul"...
And without the physical brain, there is no individual/consciousness at all...

I believe you said you are an agnostic atheist?
I am not sure I understand your resistance to the concept of an intricate but none-the-less "mechanical" universe devoid of divine intervention...
There seems to be some veneration of human spirituality in your position which I can't define...
A true atheist would have a different mindset, imo...

Live long and prosper...
Spock out...

I don't believe in any sort of "divine intervention." I believe in some of the moral precepts of various religions.

I am pretty much in harmony with at least some things associated with "ethical culture."

So am I...