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o11c  ·  3414 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: How selfish is too selfish?

    Why not? I understand that it's impossible in the way we picture ideal, but why not strive for it - that is, to help others either rather than or as well as yourself?

Because when only some people follow the ideal, it is likely to lead to a worse situation than the all-selfish case, and all you will accomplish is being an enabler.

Now certainly, we should act in a way that allows the ideal if people start to cooperate. And if there are only a few dissenters they can be socially shamed into cooperating. (and social shaming is, scientifically, a good thing.)