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kim_johnson said:
What is wrong with selfishness?

One thought is that it is irrational because it involves a double standard. One treats oneself with higher regard than one treats others.

What is wrong with selflessness?

One thought is that it is similarly irrational because it involves a double standard. one treats oneself with less regard than one treats others.

The middle ground (the rational position on some views) is a position where one treats oneself with the same regard that one treats others. Just how the thought is 'do unto others as you would have them do unto you' the converse thought is 'do unto yourself as you would have yourself do unto others'. Otherwise... How can one apply the first maxim appropriately (to treat others as well as you should be treated yourself) if one doesn't have standards on how you should expect others to treat you?

But this is one view, of course, and there are a whole variety of views out there...

(Don't even get me started on whether males and females are subject to / should aspire to different virtues)

;-)

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i am learning a lot here Kim, i appreciate your input very much... it is just the type of knowledge i can put some thought into...

best wishes always