EvolvedThought

That's true, many established, practicing dentists are able to practice with self-interest, I find it exceedingly difficult to practice this way while being a student, and before getting into school for that matter. Whenever someone asks why I got into the health field, I do explain that it's the best way for me to make a living that I enjoy, and that the expected salary is a HUGE draw to the field. That is opposite of what patients expect and want to hear (for the most part). I plan on just concentrating on my work and letting my product and treatments speak for themselves. I suppose I just am struggling with the adoption of a new philosophy and complete world-view change. I know it won't be easy, and I'm hoping this forum will help.

Greetings one and all. After a couple of days of reading through what is perhaps the most intelligent dialog I've read in quite some time on this forum, I thought I would introduce myself. I am a first year dental student living in Kansas City, with my wife and 3 year old daughter. This past summer I read several Ayn Rand novels and non-fiction and something about this philosophy struck a central nerve with me. The past few years, I have been struggling without a central philosophy, with little guiding my daily actions. I've been working though objectivism to try to become a better human, but am struggling with many of the steps. My first question I have to the resident objectivistsm is one regarding life in public service. Ever since I started becoming interested in the health care field, I have been bombarded with the 'selfless' service requirements of the health field. My question is, how am I as, as a person supposedly 'devoted' to the selfless service of medicine, how do I deal with the social stigma of being an egoist in overwhelmingly altruistic career field. I feel like I'm ranting, but I'm only beginning in this field, so please bear with me.