Do you place the good of the collective above your own good?

Question: Do you place the good of the collective above your own good!?
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There is 3 levels of maturity:
- Dependence is when you depend on others
- Independence is when you need nobody to serve you and can take responsibility yourself
- Interdependence (Ignored by everybody), Highest level of maturity, which is considering the good of the group before your own good and it provides the most happiness between all the others!.

Interdependence is so rare in our modern world where everybody searches for his own good!. But it is the best human state!Www@QuestionHome@Com

No!. But I could place the good of many individuals above the good of just one individual, myself being that one individual!.

For example, if my death is the only thing that would save the entire population of China from nuclear annihilation, I would offer my life, even if I would get nothing good from dying for China!. (No, heaven is not a 'good', and I don't believe in heaven!.)

My stand can be classified as a form of methodological individualism, and I like it, since it resolves my personal dilemma of strict individualism and social morality!. I do not believe there is no such a thing as a social collective!. Society is but a collection of individuals, and it is valuable only because it is composed of many individuals, the individuals being the only entities in it that give it value!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Three key words in this question need careful definition: "good," "above," and "collective!."

All of them are tricky!.

Without getting into too much logic chopping, let me say that I believe there are lots of first-order goods that conflict, sometimes without available resolution!. Some must be sacrificed to others!.

At that level, it makes no sense to speak of putting anyone else's good before my own, because if I did, then "my" good wouldn't be "mine," would it!?

Perhaps you're referencing biological "goods," i!.e!. survival!. There are goods that are "mine" in a deeper sense than survival, though: goods for which I would accept a shortened life!. So there are ambiguities even within what I've called the first order!.

But the second-order good IS the process of reconciliation, and progress toward a world where sacrifice becomes decreasingly necessary and this question becomes less meaningful!.

The second order good of reconciliation is morality properly speaking, and THAT good I embrace as my own, and that of any "collective" with which I might voluntarily identify!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

No!. But, I have a values system where I will give to those less fortunate than me if I feel I have benefited from good fortune where they may not!. In addition, I work toward teaching those who are not as well off how to become more successful!.

Painting every one as "in equal need" with a broad brush rewards laziness and those who place their own needs above others (in other words, rewarding people who may have the wrong perspective in the first place)!.

Which set of values is it you wish to push forward!? You may find that your intentions could actually undermine your goals if you do not fully study cause and effect!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

No
I would not give my life for some collective ideology of the masses!. Such as the Jonestown Massacre!.
You might even be correlating this to current events!?

Example is that game played as a kid where the teacher tells the first child something then that child tells his version of what was heard to the next and the chain continues till that last child gets up in the class and tell the class his/her version !.

People are sheep and will follow the leader!.!.!.!.!.those who dance to there own tune are usually out casted from the flock!.

Hopefully I understood correctly your question!.!.!.or this is my interpretation of it!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

if by 'collective good' you mean the fluidity of society, than i am guilty of keeping it in a neutral balance, because foe every action i take against it i ensure to 'cross it out' with an equal deed!. however, when in a conscious action i try to maintain the overall well being of the universe!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

No, because my good is also good for the collective!. Because good can only be good, and would sound ridiculous if you said: "Your good is all bad!." Thus, if the collective suffers from my good it could not have been very good!.
Peace!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Yes!. After all, if you're happy but you have to look at everyone else who's unhappy, what's the good in that!? Besides, doesn't it just make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside when you help someone else out!? :)Www@QuestionHome@Com

Never, absolutely not, under any circumstances!. It didn't work in the Soviet countries, it doesn't work in Cuba, and it won't work anywhere!.

Self interest is the only cause of progress and achievement!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

What good is the collective if it cannot exploit the individual!.!.!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

No not before my own good but sometimes before my own convenience!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Yes!.Because I got what I have from the collective good of others!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

yes---- you are right--Www@QuestionHome@Com