Altruism is everybody’s favorite ethical system. It urges us to be nice to each other and to help those in need. It gives us a warm, mushy feeling of generosity and makes us feel good. In theory.

The reality is a little different, as Ben Godar’s article in Friday’s Daily illustrates. He said that upon hearing of a $3 billion charitable donation by Bill Gates, he was offended.

Offended? Why? Because that amount is less than 10 percent of Gates’ net worth.

After all, “it really isn’t costing [Gates] much.”

The truth is that Ben Godar doesn’t care about the good $3 billion could do.

He’s not grateful to Gates precisely because the donation wasn’t a sacrifice.

A donation has no moral worth unless it hurts the giver, and the more it hurts, the better. Ben wants to see Bill Gates in pain. This is no exaggeration. In Ben’s own words, “True nobility is in giving until it hurts.”

Ben Godar does not want to see the poor helped. He wants to see the rich suffer. He does not want Bill Gates to be charitable; he is not interested in generosity. He wants Bill Gates to be destroyed.

Bill Gates: Don’t give your wealth to charity. They don’t appreciate your gifts; they hate you for them. They don’t want your money; they want your life. Stop supporting those who would destroy you.

Ben Godar: Why is it nobler to give than to achieve? Why should Bill Gates give you or anyone else a single penny or a single moment of his time? What makes sacrifice proper?

Appeal to my self-interest.

Tell me why an arrogant, selfish bastard like myself should feel anything but pride for my talent and for my earnings potential.

Tell me why I should sacrifice myself for the sake of people who will resent me for it.

I’m listening.

---

Kyle Markley

Senior

Computer Science

President, Objectivists at ISU