How To Know

 

How is one to know, in light of my Mavellonialist ethics system (moderate egoism), that one is a good person, making wise and kind choices, most of the time (It is less important, if not ideal, if one’s motive is noble or not, than if one makes a good, kind choice.)?

 

Ayn Rand is a bit more absolutist than I am, but egoism is virtue for her, and altruism is evil. I modify that slightly, suggesting that egoism leads to virtue more than does altruistic personal motives, but, that the good agent must place a minor emphasis that egoism is vice, and altruism is virtue. This qualification usually must be introduced into one’s moral choices.

 

With this presupposition introduced, then one’s moral choices are good if one chooses and acts so as to increase personal happiness and positive self-interest, while simultaneously undergirding and supporting the enlightened self-interest and happiness of others around one.

 

If one is using one’s group connections, power, and popularity to target, exclude, forestall, punish, demonize, attack and isolate a wholesome individuators, then one’s moral character is not good, and such choices are cruel and wicked.

 

In short, one must marshal one’s forces of self-awareness, and fact check one’s behavior and approach to benevolent outliers and loners that one is connected to. If one is actively discriminating against them, or passively not protecting them from groupist assault, then one’s choices, character, motives, and actions are repulsive and condemned and to be punished by the Good Spirits in this world and in the next.