𝗜𝘀 𝗦𝗲𝗹𝗳𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗮 𝗩𝗶𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗲?

𝗜𝘀 𝗦𝗲𝗹𝗳𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗮 𝗩𝗶𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗲?
Tuesday, June 3, 2025, 6.30pm-8.30pm
Hayek Saal, Grünangergasse 1/15-1, 1010 Wien
Enter the green gate, on the left ring at Hayek Institute, Hayek Saal is on the first floor to the right

When we say "selfish" we usually mean something like being arrognat, cruel, deceptive. Very negative things. At the same time, when someone achieves great success through hard work and is centered on himself, well, we also call that selfish.

So is selfishness good or bad? Ayn Rand argues that the word is a "package deal" and that we don't even know what we're talking about when we use it because the word packs contradictory meanings. She, instead, defined it as that which is truly to one's benefit and.. lying, cheating, cruelty and injustice are not among those things. To achieve a happy life one has to be selfish and to be selfish one has to think.

Let's talk about the nature of selfishness and whether it's a virtue!

If you're very interested in the topic, check out the debate between Yaron Brook and Gene Epstein with the same title: https://youtu.be/hsTDyBhZTZ8

Otherwise just read Yaron Brook and Dan Watkins' essay "𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗲𝗹𝗳𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀" and come to the discussion! https://newideal.aynrand.org/rethinking-selfishness

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