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Popper the Altruist

OSE p104 Popper writes:
'Friends have in common all things they possess.' This is, undoubtedly, an unselfish high-minded and excellent sentiment. Who could suspect that an argument starting from such a commendable assumption would arrive at a wholly anti-humanitarian conclusion?
There are also various hints that Popper likes altruism before and after this. But this is worse than just advocating altruism. It is an unlimited form of altruism where nothing is held back. It tells us that all possessions should be common.

The sentiment also sounds something like a generic attack on people having differences, and therefore a very intolerant statement, but perhaps it's different with more context.

OSE p100: Popper says the term 'individualism' has two dictionary meanings. The first is the opposite of collectivism. The second is the opposite of altruism. He says one of Plato's tactics was to lump both senses of individualism together, in order to argue for collectivism by attacking selfishness (an invalid and dishonest approach). And Popper separates them out, in part for accuracy, and in part so he can defend anti-collectivism without having to defend selfishness, and can say the first sense of individualism is compatible with altruism.

I think Popper's dictionary is correct to connect these two concepts. If you value individuals in their own right, then how can you advocate those individuals all individually choose to sacrifice themselves for others? That is not the standard individualist attitude of people caring deeply about their own lives, and taking responsibility for themselves, and pursuing their own interests. Altruism is a way of sneaking collectivism in through the back door.

Popper only goes half way in his support of individualism. He opposes collectivism but not altruism. Ayn Rand goes the whole way. She vigorously supports both meanings of individualism. I wonder did anyone else before her ever seriously defend selfishness? I mean for a good reason, not something like advocating tyranny and trying to justify powerful people selfishly keeping their power.

Elliot Temple on October 26, 2008

Messages (4)

In the german (original??) text he distinguishes between Egoism and Individualism. Individualism stands versus collectivism. Egoism versus Altruism.

Tobias Mueller-Kortkamp


Anonymous at 1:32 PM on January 22, 2009 | #1732 | reply | quote

Altruism

Hello Elliot,

Would you please give your definition of Altruism and also a concrete incidence of altruism?

Realist


Anonymous at 5:38 PM on January 22, 2009 | #1739 | reply | quote

altruism: the belief in or practice of disinterested and selfless concern for the well-being of others

example: helping a stranger in need *when you don't want to*.

example: donating $1,000 to charity when your kid wants an ipod which you say you can't afford

example: going to the opera with your wife, when you don't like opera, and aren't coerced into it

example: lending something to your friend when you don't want to and aren't pressured into it

example: giving up your life to take care of your sick father

example: wasting your time trying to help people who didn't ask for help, and don't find you very helpful

example: making an effort to predict and help with other people's problems, before your own

- Elliot


Anonymous at 6:23 PM on January 22, 2009 | #1740 | reply | quote

I am wondering if selfless concern is possible at all(in deeper sense).

Realist


Anonymous at 3:47 PM on January 23, 2009 | #1743 | reply | quote

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