oh, i dunno. i am certainly not into the sacrificial type of love, and i find that sort of thinking pernicious, but nathaniel branden is so much on the other end of the spectrum that i am not usually in agreement with him, but think it's all rather more complicated than "selfish" versus "altruistic", and that he's not particularly deep for a philosopher. :)
I have to confess to knowing exactly nothing about Branden. I just liked the challenge to the picture of selflessness I have instinctively recoiled from in my life. I remember reading once that Mother Theresa (not actually my favorite person, but still) said that her good works were not altruism -- that she *got something* out of helping others. She got good feelings and self-worth and other things. That really made an impact on me pretty early in life, and I've been suspicious of "selflessness" ever since.
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branchandroot
love is not selfless
Date: 2003-05-05 06:18 pm (UTC)Re: love is not selfless
Date: 2003-05-06 07:20 am (UTC)