how about just admitting that self-interest is perfectly all right. we cannot help but see the world as a reflection of ourselves, our view of the world around us is always colored by our own self-image. even our impression of god is influenced by how we view ourselves. so why can't caring for ourselves can be seen as a form of caring for the world and caring for those around us as a way of caring for ourselves? demonizing self-interest is a foolhardy venture, so why not just admit to it and go on from there?
There is nothing wrong with self interest. But, the ability to rise above it is one of the things that separates us from animals. Many people do act only in their self interest and to what extent we do this in a lot of ways determines whether or not we are good people.
After all, we could essentially define an unethical bastard as one who allows his self interest and not his conscious to guide his actions. And a psychopath is defined by the inability to empathies with others - it is one who is only aware of his self interest. Objectivism is essentially the rationalization of psychotic, unethical behavior.
Now this is not to say that we should always be selfless. We have rules, morals and social contracts that determine how selfless or how self serving one ought to be. Some choose to go above and beyond, and some choose to be criminals. Hopefully, we all at least do the minimum that is required.
It is however easy to get caught in the circular reasoning that reduces everything to self interest.
Here is a syllogistic model of Objectivism.
People only do what pleases them.
People only do what does not please them because doing so pleases them more.
Therefore, people always do what pleases them.
In this case, the conclusion is merely a reiteration of the first premise.
PS - I just noticed something. The point about God wanting stuff to happen was an example of circular reasoning - i wasn't suggesting this is the case.
