In a message dated 11/20/1999 12:49:57 PM EST, cyn386@flash.net writes:
<< I like what you say here. But I think you're glossing over how
intertwined,
your well being is with the well being of others. >>
Thanks for the feedback, Cynthia. I think you are right, that my well being is quite intertwined with the well being of others. However, I wanted to emphasize that all other things being equal (an example where they are not is when one person is trying to hurt another), everyone's well being is equally important, including my own. I'm just usually better able to promote my own well being as opposed to most other people in the Universe (not that I don't try to help out others). But it is equally true that it is difficult, and perhaps not even useful, to completely separate out what is good for me and what is good for another. As a person, I almost never do anything for just one reason, but I do not believe this in any way lessens or corrupts a good deed. I try to help to make the world better for others AND myself. I try not to act out of purely selfish or purely selfless motivations, as either view can lead to an unbalanced viewpoint which often causes someone to suffer. Thanks again for the comment.
Glen Finney