Selfish or Selfless, a false dichotomy

My thanks to Nadine who in July of 2014 asked me just the right question at just the right time to lead me to deeper understanding of a previously perplexing issue. Here is the essence of my better understanding.

The only true measure of a thought, idea, or choice is whether it is harmful or helpful. Anything which increases our sense of being a separate, independent individual is harmful; that is the path to a cold and empty life. Anything which helps us develop and appreciate our connections to other living things (especially people) is helpful as it leads to a sweet and joyous life.

There is an alternative measure of a choice being selfish or selfless. However, the idea of something being selfish is itself harmful because it is based on the underlying, false premise that there is a separate and independent self. All choices and actions are selfless simply because there is no self.

To anyone who balks at my premise that is no separate and independent self, I have two assignments. One is a couple of questions to contemplate and the other is a research question.

For contemplation, how can you ever implement any choice without the help of at least a trillion other living beings, and, how can you benefit from any action without also benefiting at least a trillion other living beings?

For research, how many living cells make up the human body? You are welcome to adjust the figure of a trillion based on your research.

This page was last updated on August 14, 2014