"Self-interest, or rather self-love, or egoism, has been more plausibly substituted as the basis of morality. But I consider our relations with others as constituting the boundaries of morality. With ourselves, we stand on the ground of identity, not of relation, which last, requiring two subjects, excludes self-love confined to a single one. To ourselves, in strict language, we can owe no duties, obligation requiring also two parties. Self-love, therefore, is no part of morality. Indeed, it is exactly its counterpart." (The Complete Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Memorial Edition; Volume 14, page 140; 1904.)
To put it in modern terms, self-interest is not and cannot be a basis for morality, because a moral decision exists if and only if it affects someone other than you. In fact, acting in a selfish fashion is one of the symptoms of every form of neurosis or character disorder not only of which I am aware, but of which every mental-health professional I have ever asked (more than a dozen) is aware. Making a right or wrong decision for yourself isn't moral; it is simply smart or stupid.
No wonder everything in the world is so chaotic today. It truly is a "Ball of Confusion."
"Great googalooga, can't you hear me talking to you.
Sayin'... ball of confusion. That's what the world is today, hey, hey.
Let me hear ya, let me hear ya, let me hear ya.
Sayin'... ball of confusion. That's what the world is today, hey, hey.
Let me hear ya, let me hear ya, let me hear ya, let me hear ya, let me hear ya.
Sayin'... ball of confusion""
Ball of Confusion (That's What the World is Today), Norman Whitfield
The Temptations, 1970
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