Egoism is a quality condemned by society: this word comes from the Latin ego - "I". And it means a person’s desire for personal gain. But isn't it natural? It is worthwhile to understand who such an egoist is, and is it so bad to be.
Popular opinion
Accusing someone of egoism, they usually mean that a person thinks only of himself. And pursues his interests to the detriment of strangers, pushes everyone with his elbows on the way to his goals and "walks on corpses." That's who the egoist is, according to the majority. This is a self-lover who is not capable of loving anyone but himself. Therefore, he takes and selects much more than he gives, and never helps others. The meaning of his life is to create the best conditions for himself.
Altruism
What an offensive word - an egoist! Antonym to him - an altruist - seems to be a more positive characteristic, which does not sound so often. An altruist takes care of others (disinterestedly and selflessly) that is, he easily sacrifices his interests and goals to a stranger. They are driven by the best motives: compassion, humanism, mercy, and so on.
The struggle and unity of opposites
The altruist will take off his last shirt to help his neighbor. For example, a woman who simultaneously works, completely organizes the household and takes care of children, that is, completely gives herself to the family. Her egoistic husband considers this situation quite natural and sincerely wonders why his other half is sometimes out of sorts: she takes care of him, her beloved. They complement each other wonderfully, don't they?
Extremes
It is not known whether the extreme egoists suffer from the loneliness promised to them or the disapproval of others, but from the excess of everything that they "grabbed" for themselves - yes. That’s who such an egoist is not at all as happy a person as he wanted to be at any cost. The altruist, however, is not happier: maybe confidence in his own high moral qualities allows him to assert himself, but in his desire to give endlessly he will give out to others all of himself - alas, not infinite. By the way, instead of gratitude, he will probably receive only the title of spineless rags. And even if his last shirt does not go to the greedy egoist, but to the same altruist, who has gone to extremes and to poverty, this will not benefit the society as a whole: the number of people without a shirt in it will remain the same.
Who is a rational egoist?
