“Force, governmental coercion, is the instrument by which the ethics of altruism -- the belief that the individual exists to serve others -- is translated into political reality.”

The statement is an accurate depiction of using a string of truths and half truths, put together to enforce an ultimate justification for tyranny. The ethics of altruism draws a picture of a sovereign individuals voluntary discipline, unselfish regard and devotion for morally dealing with the welfare of others. The belief that the individual exists to serve others depicts a helot, serf or slaves mandate and inherent duty contrary to sovereignty, volunteering, unselfishness, and morality. An individual may have a moral imperative to aid another BUT, by no stretch of definition does that extend to a scope of mandate. Governmental coercion by force diametrically opposes sovereignty, volunteering, unselfishness, and morality. In a de jure representative republic at natural law, the servant (government) can do nothing the individual sovereign master can not do! If an individual can not lawfully force another to act, neither can the servant (ethically, by any form of altruism or otherwise).

Dr. Branden passed away December 3, 2014.

If we are here to serve others, then what are "the others" here for.

jim, I like it a lot ;-)

jim, you referenced a great quote from the poet W.H. Auden. His actual statement was:

We are here on Earth to do good to others; what the others are here for, I don't know.

5 for Branden's quote.

There's nothing wrong with altruism, until it is mandatory.