IN> Selflessness Paradox

[dande002 at fish.co.uk]

Quoting Claribel <claribel at intermessage.com>:

> I've come across a proof that the ethic of selflessness is logically
> contradictory. I'm curious what people think their favorite IN characters
> would have to say about it.

I think the ethic of selflessness is drastically oversimplified, but I do think
there are ways around your proof.

1) Claim that what the proof shows is that the idea of merit is logically
contradictory, and therefore drop the idea that selfless actions are
meritorious.

2) If self-interest can be enlightened, so can selfishness.  Another solution
would take it that since awarding merit to selfless actions encourages selfish
people to behave in other-regarding ways, it is therefore objectively selfless
to accept rewards where accepting them has the above effect.  This assumes a
utilitarian justification of merit and reward - but many philosophers who have
adopted the selfish/altruistic distinction of motivation have taken that line.
This is probably Jean's line.

Laurence and Dominic would take the line that merit is awarded by an
appropriately qualified judge and that you may not be judge in your own case. 
So two angels of the Sword have no business believing themselves or each other
to have merit, but Laurence can judge them to have merit and reward them.  Most
of the Archangels probably operate on this basis.

David Anderson