1. We underestimate ourselves. I emphasize ‘self’. We tend to confuse it with the narrow ego.
2. Human nature is such that with sufficient all-sided maturity we cannot avoid “identifying” ourselves with all living beings, beautiful or …show more content…
Because of an inescapable process of identification with others, with growing maturity, the self is widened and deepened. We “see our self in others”. Self-realization is hindered if the self-realization of others, with whom we identify, is hindered. Love of our self-will labor to overcome this obstacle by assisting in the self-realization of others according to the formula “live and let live.” Thus, all that can be achieved by altruism — the dutiful, moral consideration of others — can be achieved — and much more — through widening and deepening our self. Following Immanuel Kant’s critique, we then act beautifully but neither morally nor