Q: I know you, like Ayn Rand, write about the “virtue of self-interest” and contend that self-fulfillment is both moral and rationally healthy. Don’t you think there are situations where self-denial is a virtue and is, indeed, psychologically healthy? Can’t … Continue reading
Q: I have friends who are in relationships, but have no qualms about cheating on their partners. Still, they are able to keep their relationships. Me, however, who would be respectful of my partner, and would never lie, does not … Continue reading
Shame is a major fuel of irrational, unnecessary anxiety. Shame is not the same as guilt. The emotion of guilt applies (rightly or wrongly) to remorse over one’s actions; shame refers to remorse over one’s thoughts or even emotions (in … Continue reading
I tend to take the following policy towards anyone who has a lot of money: Assume they made it honestly and through their own efforts unless there’s evidence to the contrary. This is admittedly more complicated and confusing in a … Continue reading
Sometimes — not always, but sometimes — it’s good to defer relaxation. By deferring relaxation, you make the quality of your relaxation time better, even if the quantity is somewhat smaller. By ‘quality’ I mean a feeling of satisfaction while … Continue reading
I try to hire people who want my job; they make me look good. –Larry Flynt
Stress is an ignorant state. It believes that everything is an emergency. — Natalie Goldberg
Clearly, the Democrats and their policies are unpopular. But what is the alternative? For what can you vote, when you go into the ballot box? Republicans are the party of nothing, even now. If Republicans took over tomorrow, most of … Continue reading
Culture does not determine personality. People are people — and people are first and foremost individuals. Individualism is not simply a philosophy of how people should be, but also a description of what they are. The polite word for the … Continue reading
A reader emailed about an incident involving her long-time boyfriend. Apparently they have been dating for several years and getting along quite well. As their relationship progressed, they began to discuss the possibility of moving-in together and maybe even getting … Continue reading
Authority does not reside in someone’s status. It resides in the status of what they say — that is, whether or not what they say corresponds to rational truth and facts, or not. If it does, then you don’t need … Continue reading
If you’re treating people who are important to you — in business or personal life — the same way you’d like to be treated, then you’re acting with integrity and, more than likely, with rationality. I’m not saying “Do onto … Continue reading