Merry Christmas - From the Rationally Selfish

It comes from a Libertarian to call themselves a rationally selfish individual. I also want to be clear: I do not speak to the collective mass off the rationally selfish. We, though collectively call ourselves rationally selfish like Randists. We understand what it means to be rationally selfish. What brings all of this into Christmas brings the interest of people who look to me and say: "You're a horrible person for saying you are selfish, and during Christmas no less!"

This is where the term "rational" comes from. I've had people refer to the Randist mechanism of rationally to be perverted into thinking it is "radical." It is not radical. It is "rational." Now I want to wish you a very merry Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and whatever diety you so wish to participate in. People who look at me think: "How can you be a libertarian, one who is rationally selfish, and not completely miss the point of giving. Altruism in its actuality."

As was stated by Ayn Rand:

"Do not confuse altruism with kindness, good will or respect for the rights of others. These are not primaries, but consequences, which, in fact, altruism makes impossible. The irreducible primary of altruism, the basic absolute is self-sacrifice – which means self-immolation, self-abnegation, self-denial self-destruction – which means the self as a standard of evil, the selfless as a standard of the good.

Do not hide behind such superficialities as whether you should or should not give a dime to a beggar. This is not the issue. The issue is whether you do or do not have the right to exist without giving him that dime. The issue is whether you must keep buying your life, dime by dime, from any beggar who might choose to approach you. The issue is whether the need of others is the first mortgage on your life and the moral purpose of your existence. The issue is whether man is to be regarded as a sacrificial animal. Any man of self-esteem will answer: No. Altruism says: Yes." (Ayn Rand, "Faith and Force: Destroyers of the Modern World," Philosophy: Who Needs It, 1982, New American Library, p. 74)
 

It is unto altruism one may think is how you give gifts. But that is incorrect. People would consider altruism, the act of sacrificing oneself for the sake of the other is the meaning of Christmas. I disagree. You bring yourself purchasing gifts for those around you because, as a rationally selfish individual, actually benefit from giving to others. The act of giving is wonderful, so long as it is voluntary that you give. Not compulsory.

I purchased many gifts, while I do not make the most amount of money, I wish to give gifts to those around me of which I care about, or to which I can afford. I want to make them happy, and to gain a bit of pleasure as each of them open the gift I painstakingly wrapped just to see a smile on their face. I gain a rational "selfish" pleasure from this. I voluntarily give, not because someone would tell me, or to be forced to give based on an altruistic intent. That I selfishly give to others as a rational individual is the ultimate form of moral principle.

With this politically charged article, I am a Libertarian, a Randist. I believe in your personal choice to make the decisions of your life, and not listen to those around you if it goes against your individuality. Fight the collective populous and fight those that force you into altruistic intent.

If you hated this article, that's fine. You have a right to your own opinion. If you find anything about it feel free to write your own article in rebuttal. I will read it. Additionally, I post an article a day Monday-Friday. Feel free to check out this site while checking out the articles I've written in the past.