Philosophy Now Forum

First and foremost one's self interest is to stay alive, and have a life, as dictated by life's parameters, i.e., air, water, food, shelter and a mate, thus a family. Interactions, between each of us and others also having those mandates, can sometimes lead to problems, if one doesn't know where it's fair to draw the lines between each of our lives. Ideally ones self interests should exclude everyone that doesn't want to be included, as no one knows or has a right to suggest that another heed their guidelines. No man or group has a right to dictate life's course, it's for each of us to decide for ourselves. The only thing we must insist of another is for them to leave us to ours as we leave them to theirs. Historically sharing resources has been a problem, when in short supply. Today that doesn't seem to be an issue, yet people still want to control resources; (to be a dictator?). I see that today's ease of life relative to worries of old, lends to a sense of entitlement, because the really hards times of centuries ago, no longer reminds us of how bad it can be. Sensing these types of dichotomies is important, as the two sides define each other. Too pampered and one expects too much, too tough a life and one doesn't expect enough.

While one should know their self interest well, it's really so that they can ensure they don't cross those invisible lines between us, so as not to tread on another unnecessarily. Arguments about ideas and solutions in a forum that everyone freely joins are one thing, as that should be why one freely joins. Of course those that create physical and/or mental entanglements/setbacks/dictation or otherwise harm anothers life's goals outside an arena of debate, without being invite to do so, are another thing entirely!

Peace be with you all!