Pragmatic Self-Preservationism

“Try to look unimportant, they may be low on ammo.”
– Murphy’s Laws of Combat

I came across this interesting concept while surfing this morning. There is always something to be said about doing things for the right reasons, but in the end I guess doing the right thing for purely selfish reasons is way better than not doing anything at all. This is quite different from the idea that the end justifies the means; because of course the means is equally important and plays an important role in conveying a perception that a wrong was righted or that justice was done or that a positive action was taken.

Now if I have to choose between the Machiavellian idea of the end justifying the means, or the Utilitarian one that we should do things for the greater good, the concept of Pragmatic Self-Preservation starts to look really good. Like capitalism, it counts on an unfailing aspect of human nature to succeed. The world is not made of saints so let’s just stop assuming that people are going to do the right thing.

Pragmatic Self-Preservation is actually a last resort argument, that you would put forth to convince an average reasonable person – if you refuse to do this because it’s the right thing to do, then at least do it because it will help you in some clearly defined concrete way. Of course, then the onus is on the party presenting the argument to show you why you will benefit from the decision.

If you look at it that way then, Pragmatic Self-Preservation then becomes the lowest common denominator that binds humanity. If we carefully examine it, clearly, we are unconsciously measuring the utility of a particular action or decision: The utility of course to our end rather than to some altruistic greater good. Now personally I find that appalling. Yet I must admit to accepting it if it is the only thing that will do the job. Does that then make me Machiavellian? In one stroke I have accepted both Utilitarian and Machiavellian principles. The abyss is deep indeed.

I am at loss as to how best to describe my personal political philosophy. For lack of a better choice, presently I am going with pragmatic self-preservation. It is one that I am not totally at ease with, and I sincerely hope to be able to find a better model.

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