Self Love

These discussions are structured with the details first but that approach can be a little dry in our modern day of mass media. It helps to show where we are going to keep it interesting: Aristotle has a unique approach to selfishness. He felt that self love is the only way we can love others; he makes the argument that you cannot love oneself too much. The first point is made by using a mother tending her children as an example. She will always do what is best for their well-being.

When we see virtue, we see things that will bring sustained happiness to a person's life. Vices are the things that steal joy from us and cause regrets. When we call something selfish, we normally think of a self indulgent person. But when we do self destructive things, dislike who we are, hate to be left to our own thoughts, lose direction and are dishonest with ourselves, we become miserable and hard to be around. This isn't selfishness, but the opposite is true;  it is the result of things that aren't virtuous. We see this with image and wealth also. Those who aren't content with who they are will try to impress others and fill the void with things or honors. It is an interesting line of thinking that we will detail. 

What we are heading towards in these discourses is how to remain civil toward ourselves and others. Having good relationships with our peers is the basis for having a good relationship with our community and then our country. Good principles of finance and relationships for a nation start with good personal interactions of its citizens. A person at war with himself will be at war with others.