Ethics Chapter 4 Study Questions

Chapter 4 Study Questions

1. Is Rand correct in saying that if you accept altruism, then you end up with a lack of self-esteem and a lack of respect for others?

In my opinion I think that Rand is not correct for saying if you accept altruism then you end up with a lack of self-esteem and lack of respect for others. Rand clearly stated the “Altruism is someone willing to sacrifice your life for others. By someone having altruism they are showing they value and respect life. I think that if someone has a family member that is in need of help or are suffering they will do whatever is needed to help them. I do not think that it has anything to do with them having a lack of self-esteem or lack of respect for others, if you don’t respect someone you won’t be willing to sacrifice for them.

2. Is Rand criticizing ideal or reciprocal altruism? Do you think that she would differentiate between the two? Would you?

I think that Rand is criticizing reciprocal altruism. It refers to human social idea and that if a person does an altruistic act others will follow along and do an altruistic act in return. Rand argues that if you sacrifice yourself for another person will result in a treat to one’s existence and helping other people is not a duty or obligation. However, I disagree, as I know that, “no man is an island,” we cannot live by ourselves, and we most certainly would have encountered situations whereby we help others because we would also want help from others next time. I think that Rand would not be able to differentiate the two: ideal & reciprocal as she has a fixation on reciprocal altruism and she is unable to see pure, ideal altruism.

3. Comment on the following quotations: “The proper method of judging when or whether one should help another person is by reference to one’s own rational self-interest and one’s own hierarchy of values: the time, money or effort one gives or the risk one takes should be proportionate to the value of the person...