This sounds a lot like Ayn Randian selfishness but applied to the level of a friend group rather than an individual. “Potential obligations to friends and one’s self are more important than the present suffering of strangers” is a consistent point of view that I rarely see eloquent arguments for, but it’s certainly not one I agree with.
It is part Ayn Rand, part Curtis Yarvin. Ultimately it all comes from Thomas Carlyle anyway.
And there is no need to limit yourself to potential obligations. Unless you have an exceedingly blessed life, then there should be no shortage of friends and loved ones in need of help.
This sounds a lot like Ayn Randian selfishness but applied to the level of a friend group rather than an individual. “Potential obligations to friends and one’s self are more important than the present suffering of strangers” is a consistent point of view that I rarely see eloquent arguments for, but it’s certainly not one I agree with.
It is part Ayn Rand, part Curtis Yarvin. Ultimately it all comes from Thomas Carlyle anyway.
And there is no need to limit yourself to potential obligations. Unless you have an exceedingly blessed life, then there should be no shortage of friends and loved ones in need of help.
These days, “a shortage of friends and loved ones” in general is not as uncommon as one might hope. :/