There's a new contest in town, and this time it's organized by the Proof of Brain Community. Proof of Brain? Does that mean having a brain is enough, I don't need to use it? - On the contrary: in this contest there seems to be a very detailed attention to such categories as imagery, formating, even the author's personality is among the criteria! Wow... this really makes me want to participate, just to see how I'll have scored. If you're interested, take a look at the prompt post for the guidelines and what you can win. For now, let me see what use I can make of my brain up there...
Cogito Ergo Sum = I Think, Therefor I Am
I find it interesting how the first Word of the Week contest of Proof of Brain I participate in just happens to be EGO. What is the ego anyway? The literal meaning of it is just I, that is me, but what meaning is hidden behind that word, depends on the context.
In the Freudian psychoanalysis the EGO is the mediator between the selfish ID on one hand, and the morally correct SUPEREGO, kinda like your little angel and devil sitting on your shoulders. In the context of Eastern influenced spiritualism the EGO represents one's selfishness, and is associated with individuality, and all things that keep us from reaching enlightenment. But since I find myself in the Proof of Brain community, I would like to take another approach: Just as Descartes used his thinking to prove his own existence, I'd like to use the EGO, or the concept of my self, to show I have a brain... and even get to use it.
A Healthy Attitude to Selfishness
When I glanced at the mirror this morning, I didn't look much like a lobster. Still, I can't deny being selfish, at least to a certain extent. For everyone who perked up their ears reading this, there was no mistake: I am selfish, and I have no problem admitting to it. So before reacting to this radical statement, let me explain it a little:
By selfishness all I mean is being aware of oneself, realizing the importance one's own needs and desires, and acting upon them. I would go as far as claiming this to be perfectly natural, in spite of what anyone says. What I don't think selfishness is, is being a jerk, who takes advantage of others for his own benefit, or even disregard the needs and desires of others. I believe it to be a misconception that looking out for oneself is automatically something undesirable. In fact, I'd say it's the other way round entirely: treating others badly is NOT in anyone's self interest at all!
At the center of human experience is the individual self. This is our standard perspective, looking at the world through our own eyes. Even if you've been out of your mind on a few occasions, the default viewpoint is always your own. So far there is no difference to the stereotypical bastard who says "It's either me or the rest of the world." But that's where the similarities stop.
The Common Sense of Selfish Altruism
For anyone embracing their honest self interest, it should not come as a surprise that we're all interconnected in this world. The closest ones in our life, of course, have the greatest importance for us: our families, friends, and neighbors. Taking care of them, that is being aware of their needs and wants, and helping them meet these needs, is naturally in our own interest too. After all, by sharing a burden we make it lighter, and sharing the benefits makes them even sweeter. But what about everyone else?
While people outside of our immediate circle may not seem so important, it is actually just as beneficial for one's self to help out where help is needed. The results may be amazing, outweighing any effort or sacrifice. Even if nothing else comes out of it, the satisfying feeling of having made a difference in someone's life may be reward enough. I'm sure most of us have done it at least on a few occasions - and for those who haven't, I really encourage you to try! It may give you a completely new type of joy!
Using Honesty to Maintain Balance
At this point the question that usually follows is: Where do we draw the line? We can't always help everyone, after all. And if word gets out of our selflessness, wouldn't people run our doors down, looking for something to score? And if we refuse to help them all, wouldn't that make us selfish? (How horrible!)
To this I can only say, it's a pity if anyone even thinks like this! Nobody is obligated to help anyone! Even in our close circle it's perfectly fine to refuse to help a friend or family member... depending on the occasion. Ultimately it always comes down to how much one wants to help oneself, and nobody should feel bad if they don't want to. Staying honest (especially to oneself) helps making this decision without falling into self doubt, where others have an easier time manipulating you.
"How is this going to benefit me?" can be a great question to ask yourself, and if anyone admits to you that "right now I'm not going to help," it should be perfectly acceptable, without any hard feelings. And interestingly as this world works, it may be precisely the refusal of a certain requested help, that ultimately helps that person the most. Tough love can be love still, after all.
Coming Back to the Ego
Okay, so after writing this, there can be no doubt that I am selfish. Great, but how does this prove that I have a functional brain? Well, my brain is what makes me self aware. I think, meaning there has to be an I, a self or ego, which is always going to be my own. Once I've noticed this, I've established a proper center of the universe. An important step before the next essential one: realizing that there are many other worlds out there, each with their own centers, that overlap my own. In other words, we keep affecting each other. At this point it would take an ignorant fool (questionable brain function) not to seek the benefit of others, as it tends to benefit them directly.
For this reason, I want to hold the EGO in high regard, and celebrate it honestly for what it is: the actual reason behind human cooperation, love, solidarity, friendship, caring, and all such lofty things.