Christopher Brown

The reason I fell out of this argument a few days ago was because I felt I was being belittled. I also thought there was little comprehension about each other's ideals. What with the false altruism definition, etc. Now I realize WarmTaffy never really understood the ideals he was arguing against. Oversimplification is as dangerous as attempting to belittle your opponents. Don't suggest we keep ourselves 'open to conflicting opinions' when you don't even understand the opinions we hold.

No one pointed this out, but those 'largely religious' and 'unsuccessful' countries have religions based deeply in altruism. Namely Islam and Christianity. Just a thought.

I believe he is an atheist, although I'm sure he'll respond. He is asking whether or not you believe we should be forced (through some form of authority) to be nice/helpful to others.

He re-wrote his meaning of altruism to be that he simply thinks altruism does not mean a duty, but rather that helping people out is good from time to time.

Thank you for the great response. In this same conversation, the opponent has states "I'm a humanist. Empathy is one of the crowning achievements of evolution- and man, more than any other animal, has mastered it. Altruism is the cornerstone of our, and every other society." Anyone else have something clever? I believe in any ways this is equating altruism to reason, and saying that it is what furthers man (i.e. that it is the faculty of man's survival). Which is (for lack of a more descriptive word) disgusting. So what is the best route of action against this one?

Well then, that was concise.

Does being an objectivist have any bearing on being homosexual, or vice versa?

Makes sense to me. I will inform him, lol. Although, this was my basic point to begin with. Thanks!

I recently entered into a discussion about the obligations of the individual, versus those of the society. Their defining point is that we have evolved, or come to be, as logical, conscious human beings, through the evolution of our social affinity and collective societies. Basically, because we are social, we have developed reason, and thus we owe Society/The Human Race something, because through our Race/Society we have (and will) evolve further. Is this argument valid? How can I refute it?