----- Original Message ----- From: "Doug Pensinger" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Killer Bs Discussion" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Sunday, July 06, 2003 8:14 PM Subject: Re: No conflicts between selfishness and morality?
> Dan Minette wrote: > > > Let me give just one counter example now. (Only one for space limitation, > > not for lack of examples.) Tonight, on the local news, there was an > > apartment fire. One man was taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation. He > > was at risk because, instead of just yelling fire and getting out of the > > complex, he went door to door knocking on the doors telling people to get > > out. > > > > He is up for a hero's award, which I think is reasonable. From a Christian > > standpoint, his actions are an example of the greatest form of love > > possible. But, from the standpoint of enlightened self-interest, his > > actions were irrational. On a cost/benefits basis, it was the wrong > > decision to make. > > Isn't this just an example of _enlightened_ self interest? Certainly > the guy could have saved his ass and gotten out right away, but as the > result of a little risk taking, he has raised his stature in the community. He had to be taken to the hospital. It wasn't a little risk. I certainly would not have risked my life just so that I could be called a hero on TV. I hope I would have the courage to risk my life so others wouldn't die. The first is nothing more than the type of stupid glory seeking; the latter is heroic. The moment will fade, and he will have few, if any, tangible rewards for his actions. The real reward is that he understands that he did the right thing. Dan M. _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
