Doe Quote by Derek R. Audette
“In a world where God does not exist, any reasonable person must see that the propensity toward selfishness should be the most venerated of all human traits. From this it stands to reason that any man, knowing the total expanse of his existence to be finite, who does not devote every moment of his life to acts of pure selfishness, must be seen as nothing more than a fool.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Unpublished philosophical essay, 2020
Claims that selfishness is the highest virtue in a godless world, labeling altruism as foolish.
In simple terms: Selfishness is praised as the best trait.
Key Takeaway
Question the moral value of selfishness.
Themes
ethics
existentialism
human nature
morality
philosophy
Mood
skeptical
critical
Type
philosophical
controversial
When to use this quote
- business decisions
- personal ambition
- ethical debates
- resource allocation
Key Concepts
self‑interest
nihilism
moral relativism
Questions to Reflect On
- Can a society thrive if everyone pursues pure selfishness?
- What are the consequences of valuing selfishness above all?
A Different Perspective
Ignores social cooperation benefits and long‑term societal harm.
