Prof. Thompson, might you carry this topic through to the Founding and the 1800s? Where did the Founders come down on selfishness vs selflessness? How long did their view hold?
When Comte coined “altruism,” after all, he was complaining that selfishness was the dominant ideology in the West. That was in 1852.
As late as 1888, the US Commissioner of Indian Affairs John Oberly could write of “the exalting egotism of American civilization,” as if there was nothing controversial in the phrase.
Was American founded in a spirit of selfishness? Didn’t de Tocqueville think so in 1840?
This article is brilliant in its essentiality and succinctness. In evaluating the Christian foundations of capitalism, Brad says, "The problem is that the counter-narrative is not as psychologically or morally powerful as the central narrative taught directly by Jesus and his followers." This is absolutely true. A strong morality of altruism will always beat a weak morality of self-interest.
This is a very powerful essay, especially the concluding challenge to Christian apologists. In addition to those challenges that Christianity must confront, as Dr. Bradley underlines, one should add that the doctrines discussed, if taken seriously, will lead to (have already led to) a repudiation or undercutting of the idea of all individual rights, and, consequently, of limited government. Moreover, the doctrine(s) are radical – the quotations make it clear that the antipathy to selfishness leaves no sphere which remains private, personal and individual that may be retained by the person – and that is the basis of the totalitarian impulse: everything you possess, including your person, your mind, your values, must be surrendered to society.
Impressive piece. Born a Catholic, I was unenthusiastic from the start, sensing even as a child something unappealing and weirdly morbid about it. Indeed, in the struggle between the Classical and Christian worlds, I silently rooted for the pagans.
Well, now you’ve done it, Brad. Here I am tinkering with your conflation of “selfishness” and “self-interest” and you throw this brick in the outhouse. I’ll have to get back to you.
No familiarity with OT. Land ownership under covenant is far different than land ownership in social contract theory. Property is not a right but a gift to be stewarded under the covenant suzerain.
Prof. Thompson, might you carry this topic through to the Founding and the 1800s? Where did the Founders come down on selfishness vs selflessness? How long did their view hold?
When Comte coined “altruism,” after all, he was complaining that selfishness was the dominant ideology in the West. That was in 1852.
As late as 1888, the US Commissioner of Indian Affairs John Oberly could write of “the exalting egotism of American civilization,” as if there was nothing controversial in the phrase.
Was American founded in a spirit of selfishness? Didn’t de Tocqueville think so in 1840?
Dear Professor McCaskey: Yes, I will be running this up through the founding and beyond!
This article is brilliant in its essentiality and succinctness. In evaluating the Christian foundations of capitalism, Brad says, "The problem is that the counter-narrative is not as psychologically or morally powerful as the central narrative taught directly by Jesus and his followers." This is absolutely true. A strong morality of altruism will always beat a weak morality of self-interest.
This is a very powerful essay, especially the concluding challenge to Christian apologists. In addition to those challenges that Christianity must confront, as Dr. Bradley underlines, one should add that the doctrines discussed, if taken seriously, will lead to (have already led to) a repudiation or undercutting of the idea of all individual rights, and, consequently, of limited government. Moreover, the doctrine(s) are radical – the quotations make it clear that the antipathy to selfishness leaves no sphere which remains private, personal and individual that may be retained by the person – and that is the basis of the totalitarian impulse: everything you possess, including your person, your mind, your values, must be surrendered to society.
Impressive piece. Born a Catholic, I was unenthusiastic from the start, sensing even as a child something unappealing and weirdly morbid about it. Indeed, in the struggle between the Classical and Christian worlds, I silently rooted for the pagans.
Well, now you’ve done it, Brad. Here I am tinkering with your conflation of “selfishness” and “self-interest” and you throw this brick in the outhouse. I’ll have to get back to you.
No familiarity with OT. Land ownership under covenant is far different than land ownership in social contract theory. Property is not a right but a gift to be stewarded under the covenant suzerain.
Fantastic article!!
Looking forward to this, thanks.