American Egoism - Two Sides of the Same Coin

King Solomon had a special ring made with the words: “This too shall pass.” When tings were going especially well for the Jewish king, he would look at the inscription, and be humbled; when things were going poorly, he would look at the ring and become encouraged.

In later centuries, Jewish sages continue the teaching.  They taught that we should walk around carrying two notes to self. When times are difficult, we should review the note that says: For you the world was created. When our ego is particularly inflated, we should remember that we were created from a putrid drop, and in the end we will become worm food.

Maintaining the balance between self confidence and humility is important. But, more so, it is the natural tension between these two polar extremes, both being in play (rather than a conservative middle ground) that can lead to a successful, but well grounded individual. It also can lead a nation to greatness.

While I don't tend to write much about American society, the current political currents in the nation of my birthplace has stimulated reflection, and have given me some interesting insights.

American egoism-- its focus on the rugged individualism, the importance of each citizen has lead to some amazing accomplishment, and rapid progress. Everyone in America is taught the same lesson from birth, that if one works hard enough, he or she can accomplish anything. American children are ingrained with the idea that nothing is beyond their grasp, that they have the ability and the right to succeed. Each individual, we are taught through the American Declaration of Independence has the inalienable right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Each individual is important.

For the first two centuries of it's existence, this underlying philosophy and teaching, which focuses on the importance of the individual worked. It fostered the establishment of a society, whose members knew no bounds, whose accomplishments knew no limits.

Yet, during those first two centuries, America's egoism was tempered by a religious and cultural humility, which reminded those gigantic individuals of their essential smallness in the scheme of things. Individualism was directed towards the service of the greater good, towards the fulfillment of a larger overarching destiny. Individual egoism was sort of bound up in a collective egoism that tempered any tendency towards narcissism.

The egoism was focused outwards for the betterment of the world.

There has been a shift. 

We live in an age that eschews the idea of a greater anything. Even one's moral code is based almost entirely on how the individuals feels, how it relates to the self. More than simple relativism, today's moral compass is based almost solely on each individual's subjective visceral and personal experience. There is no longer a concept of a greater good, and certainly, not at the expense of the individual's personal and transitory momentary good.

Individualism has matured into nihilistic egoism.

Nothing seems to symbolize that more than the two candidates standing for election. While anyone standing for election in America, at least in recent years,almost by definition, would have to  have a tremendous ego, this year's candidate for the leader of the free world has gone more than a step forward. There doesn't even seem to be the illusion of self sacrifice for the common good anymore. One candidate's main argument for election is that she feels that she deserves it. The other seems to have a sociopathic need for it.

The great American individualism tempered with service to a higher cause brought great advancement and accomplishment. Without the submission to a higher purpose this has degenerated into total and pervasive narcissism.

Without remembering that we are naught but dust and ash, we will never reach the stars.