Mark Greif is writing a book about pornography. I can't wait to run my highlighter through its syntax. That's the ray of light right now as we attempt to subject the Objectivist's alternate reality.
To stand in a gas station line in Alabama is to be confronted with a plethora of smug assholes-- in the flesh, behind the counter, in newspaper print.
Recently, I read an explication of assholes rooted in Kantian ethics and game theory. Aaron James was the author. He said things like:
Our theory is simply this: a person counts as an asshole when, and only when, he systematically allows himself to enjoy special advantages in interpersonal relations out of an entrenched sense of entitlement that immunizes him against the complaints of other people.
The asshole "feels indignant when questions about his conduct are raised." He might rationalize or excuse the conduct but never apologize for it because he does not believe he should have acted differently. What he believes is that others should respond in a way that doesn't question his entitlement.
If reflection is for most people an important source of moral learning, the asshole puts reflection mainly in the service of assuring himself. This leaves him quite impervious to reform.
Assholes tend to be handled with the personal pronoun, "he"-- though James makes an exception for Ann Coulter. James' book was published in 2012. At the time, he made reference to multiple assholes characterized by their unrepentant sense of entitlement, including Dick Cheney, Donald Trump, and the louche formerly known as Donald Trump.
If someone treats you disrespectfully or speaks unkindly about you, remember that he or she does so from [his or her] impression that it is right to do so. It is unrealistic to expect that this person sees you as you see yourself. If another person reaches conclusions based on false impressions, he or she is the one hurt rather than you, because it is that person who is misguided.
The true asshole is culturally tone-deaf. Contra the Aspie, the asshole frequently insists on his right and rightness in tone-deaf statements. Think Jerry Falwell after September 11th or Trump about anything. It's late. We have a lousy president supported by Republican cowards. We have friends who have begun to call themselves "Western Chauvinists." Honestly, I can only consider assholes for so long before the maternal urge kicks in. As any mother knows, the maternal urge is an exercise in futility engendered by a lack of control over details.
