October 25: Philippians, Colossians, 1&2 Thessalonians

Paul instructs Christians as to what their ethical theory should be in Philippians 2:3-3, " Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others."

I was immediately reminded of the scene in A Beautiful Mind in which John Nash has a revelation about how if everyone does what is in their own interest (i.e. all the guys go for the blond at the bar), they will block each other, no one will get the blond and her friends will also be put off as being chosen second, so none of them will get any of the girls. He says that if they think of what is best of the group, they will each pick one of the other girls and no one would go for the blond. I'd always thought of his game theory as each man doing not only what was best for him, but also what was best for the group. In reality, if the game is at "Nash equilibrium", it means that each man, knowing the other players' strategies and knowing the others will stick to their strategies, has made the best possible decision and would not be benefited by moving laterally (to another strategy). However, this does NOT always end up with the ideal solution for the group. Once again proving that if people are only doing what is best for themselves, the overall optimal solution is not always reached. If you're interested in more of this, read this Math's Illustrated explanation of game theory, especially the part about the Prisoner's Dilemma.

I also thought of how other philosophers, most famously Ayn Rand, have proposed the exact opposite ethical theory from what Paul suggests. In her books Atlas Shrugged and The Virtue of Selfishness, this 20th Century intellectual proposes that the moral person should do what is in their own self-interest. People should determine for themselves what values their own life requires and to act in self-interest to make sure those values are achieved. She explains that self-interest involves seeing oneself as an end in oneself, and not acting as a servant or slave to the interest of others.

I don't see how it would be worth living out this life on earth if you truly thought you own life and happiness is your ultimate end--that this is all there is to strive for. When the goal of your life is BEYOND this life, Paul's instructions are clear and instructive.

Lord, help us to think not only of our own interests, but also the interests of others. Give us a Christ-like attitude and unity among brothers.