On Saturday, January 22, 2000 9:23 PM J. R. Molloy jr@shasta.com wrote:
> >As expected, I disagree. I see a lot of people sacrificing themselves
> >selflessly, which, by its very definition is destructive. I.e.,
sacrifice
> >involves destruction. I think if people really cared about themselves,
they
> >would not be stupid or destructive.
>
> "sacrificing themselves selflessly"? How can anyone sacrifice their own
self
> "selflessly"?
It's about the goal. My use of the adverb was intended to underscore this.
> If they are selfless, then they have no self to sacrifice.
> Self-sacrifice remains a selfish act. Think about it.
What is sacrificed in the process of self-sacrifice? If the standard use of
selfishness is to be concerned with one's self, then the sacrifice of self
goes against this.
If J. R. is merely arguing that whatever one does is selfish -- which I
doubt, but I'm throwing this out for consideration -- then the term is
meaningless under this usage. (I.e., if all action is "selfish," then
there's little point in discussing it.:)
Daniel Ust
http://mars.superlink.net/neptune/
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