From the book: The Essential Secret of the Jews, M. Brushtein.

“Fundamental Principles of the Integral Theory”

Altruism Is Not Egoism

It looks that we are at a dead end. On the one hand, humanity, even without realizing it completely, is uniting; on the other hand, it is not able to unite because it lacks altruism necessary for this purpose. For those, who still think that altruism can be taught, we offer to look at this:

“Altruism is a social condition in which the individual is completely absorbed by the group and does not have his own goals other than the goals of the group; performance of duty and adherence to group norms are considered to be the highest values.” (Academic Dictionaries and Encyclopaedias)

What can we do? First of all, we shouldn’t be upset. We do not know how to approach altruism? Don’t be afraid. Let’s come from the other side. Let’s begin from something that is much closer and more understandable to us – from egoism because it is the flip side of altruism.

Egoism is one of the manifestations of individualism; opposite to altruism.

First of all, we, of course, we are interested in the nature of egoism, its essence.

Philosophers say that we are talking about the moral qualities inherent in the human being. Culture scientists say that egoism is behavior. Psychologists argue that values are hidden behind it. Other psychologists call it a tendency, and sexologists – a psychological state. In addition, political scientists agree with culture scientists, social scientists – with the first psychologists, and teachers – with social scientists. (Academic Dictionaries and Encyclopaedias)

In general, there are as many opinions as there are dictionaries. At the same time, a certain attitude to these definitions is being developed. On the basis of these, it follows that egoism, of course, is a very serious thing, but – how to put this in simpler words? –not fatal and not necessary at all. That is, a person can have egoism and can have none.

However, there is a different, radical opinion that belongs to Richard Dawkins, an evolutionary biologist, the author of The Selfish Gene:

“We are survival machines – robot vehicles blindly programmed to preserve the selfish molecules known as genes.”

Further, in the same book, he makes clear what he has in mind.

He looks at genes as the “fundamental units of natural selection.”

It’s no more, no less. This is not the behavior or a mental state.

And yet there is one more opinion, and this opinion seems to be not revolutionary.

“Egoism, defined as the force of the will to receive, is man’s essence.” (Yehuda Ashlag “The Freedom”)

This special opinion belongs to those who continue the work of Abraham – Kabbalists. That’s what we are will discuss in in the next chapter.
 [141207]

Related Material:
The Essential Secret Of The Jews, Part 22
The Essential Secret Of The Jews, Part 21
The Essential Secret Of The Jews, Part 20

Filed under: Israel, Nations of the World | Add Comment →