If the two groups found some way to compromise that would have been accomplished through self-interest but both of these groups -believe- in an idea of "better them than us".
Believing the same and harmony of action doesn't guarantee peace. Look at the USSR. They understood the wavelength, but not the frequency.
"but still, self-interest motivated them"
Self-interest is the root of all of man's motivations. Good and bad. "selfish" and selfless. It motivated me to write this comment, motivated you to read it, and possibly will motivate you to respond.
Blaming self-interest on man's division is like blaming a sword for murdering a man when it was the assailant behind him who bent it's purpose to his ends.
The sword, like self-interest, is a neutral thing. It's used for defending or for murdering. For accomplishing greet deeds or extraordinary destruction.
The true root is ideas. A sword, like self-interest, has no internal value.
Group B could have risked starving if they had helped Group A. The chance of total anihilation of both groups would therefore be higher if B had helped A than had they not helped. => not helping is the rational choice.
The sword is like an idea, it can either be used or not. It can be used to protect or destroy. What it is used for is determined by the person-who-wields-it's self-interest.
1. What does that have to do with anything? Nothing, that's what.
And the idea, the consideration of whether or not helping them brings potential harm to your own group, was a tool aiding the group in making a decision.
2. Where did I write that? I wrote "person-who-wields-it's" (person-who... one word), it therefore is the person's self-interest, go figure.
The Division of Mankind
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If the two groups found some way to compromise that would have been accomplished through self-interest but both of these groups -believe- in an idea of "better them than us".
Believing the same and harmony of action doesn't guarantee peace. Look at the USSR. They understood the wavelength, but not the frequency.
"but still, self-interest motivated them"
Self-interest is the root of all of man's motivations. Good and bad. "selfish" and selfless. It motivated me to write this comment, motivated you to read it, and possibly will motivate you to respond.
Blaming self-interest on man's division is like blaming a sword for murdering a man when it was the assailant behind him who bent it's purpose to his ends.
The sword, like self-interest, is a neutral thing. It's used for defending or for murdering. For accomplishing greet deeds or extraordinary destruction.
The true root is ideas. A sword, like self-interest, has no internal value.
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malkiot
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Group B could have risked starving if they had helped Group A. The chance of total anihilation of both groups would therefore be higher if B had helped A than had they not helped. => not helping is the rational choice.
The sword is like an idea, it can either be used or not. It can be used to protect or destroy. What it is used for is determined by the person-who-wields-it's self-interest.
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You do realize that by rationalizing the whole Group A/Group B thing you're presenting an -idea- for why an idea wasn't the motivator here?
"who wields the sword's self-interest"
Swords are sentient now?
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malkiot
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1. What does that have to do with anything? Nothing, that's what.
And the idea, the consideration of whether or not helping them brings potential harm to your own group, was a tool aiding the group in making a decision.
2. Where did I write that? I wrote "person-who-wields-it's" (person-who... one word), it therefore is the person's self-interest, go figure.
And again, if you deny that Ideas are the source of man's division you'd divide yourself from me by virtue of an idea.
It is unavoidable, my young apprentice. It is...your destiny.