[MD] Flying Spagetti Monsters

[craigerb at comcast.net]

[Ben] 
> The principle I most often identify with the popular definition of morality 
> is the intellectual pattern of altruism. Rape, murder and theft are easily 
> shown to be inaltruistic....It's not inaltruistic [if] no great harm comes from [it]...
> Altruism is a dominant part of modern morality and has been so since the rise of > Judeo-Christian values.
> Rand...may be defining altruism differently than how I would. Rand condemns 
> certain behaviors that are justified as being altruistic (such as wealth 
> redistribution) but I believe her to be quite an altruist herself. The 
> whole point of her book is that by disrespecting the industrialists--the 
> movers and the shakers--politicans and bureaucrats destroy society. But if 
> altruism isn't a value, why should politicians and bureaucrats care about 
> anyone else? Why not steal all that they can? Rand supports a government 
> that enforces strong property rights and low taxes, thus allowing the movers 
> and shakers the freedom to make life better for everyone. This is an 
> altruistic aim.
 
Ben,
Nice post.
Rand's definition of 'altruism': sacrificing one's own values for those of others'.  My interpretation of your definition: being considerate of others' interests/rights.
Rand's industrialists were not altruistic, even by your definition.  Their end was to maximize profit.  That everyone benefitted was only a means to that end, not the aim itself.  Those industrialists didn't want government to operate in their interest.  What they wanted was a system where they were free to succeed & would be justly rewarded when they were.
Craig