Are you selfish enough?
Hi there,
This issue of We Who Think is a bit different. It still brings you 3 ultra-focused ideas to reduce life complexity. But all of them are from a single book: The Virtue of Selfishness by Ayn Rand.
For me, it’s been the most valuable reading in ages. So I wanted to share at least the 3 most essential takeaways.Â
These ideas may be (very) controversial. But I see them as foundational for a better life. I really hope you will share your views on this topic with Alberto and me.
Did you choose your moral code?
Man chooses his values by a conscious process of thought—or accepts them by default, by subconscious associations, on faith, on someone’s authority. | Ayn Rand
Every decision depends on how you interpret reality. Your mind guides you, developing a set of principles (a moral code).
Did you choose it with a rational and analytical process? Or do you rely on the whims of the moment or on the rules of some authority?
Either way, you will have a moral code. If you develop it rationally, it will help you. Otherwise, it will damage you, because reality doesn’t care about your whims or emotions.
The false choice of modern culture
The maintenance of life and the pursuit of happiness are not two separate issues. To hold one’s own life as one’s ultimate value, and one’s own happiness as one’s highest purpose are two aspects of the same achievement. | Ayn Rand
Modern culture presents you with a false choice. You can be:
a good guy and live for others,
or a bad one and take whatever you can with violence and lies.
Both these alternatives will bring you unhappiness. If you sacrifice yourself to someone else needs, you’re just a slave. If you’re the taker, you become a parasite. And a life of violence and lies is a miserable one.
What about the moderate option? What if you put others first, but not too much? Well, then you condemn yourself to a constant state of hypocrisy and mental stress.
This is a false choice because there’s another alternative.Â
You can be a rational selfish person.
Put your life and individual happiness as your goal, and work towards it with selfish decisions. Don’t sacrifice yourself. Don’t steal from anybody. Just trade your resources with others, based on your rational priorities.
Aren’t we all selfish?
Nope.
A (rational) selfish person wants to get the best out of her life.
She makes a decision because the expected consequences will be the best possible for her future.Â
An action is not in your personal interest, because you desire it. The difference between a selfish decision and an irrational one depends on the reason behind it.Â
First of all, you have to define your priorities. They are rational only if they improve your life. At that point, you can evaluate your decisions. Only the choices that move you closer to your priorities are selfish (and rational).Â
I’m curious about your view on these ideas. Did you read anything by Ayn Rand? What do you think about these concepts in general?
Best book of the week (for me)
Troubled Blood by Robert Galbraith
Pros → I love to read novels. This is an amazing one, where all characters and dialogues look real. And the two protagonists are truly positive heroes.
Cons → I can’t find any. Before this one, you better go through the previous four books of the series. Fear not, they are also very well crafted detective stories.
And you? Which book did you enjoy recently? Let us know. We are always on the lookout for exciting new titles.
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Thank you for reading this newsletter.
Now, I’m curious about you. What decisions are challenging you at the moment? What are the mental strategies that you find more helpful?
Write me back!
And don’t forget to share We Who Think with your smartest friends. Thank you!
Until next week,Â
Samuele
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