What happens when a person first rejects altruist, collectivist, and mystical morality for a rationally self-interested
one. It generally lasts a short
time, but can have
long term negative consequences for the self-interested individual. Until the individual sorts out his new values and
long term goals, they walk around insulting altruists and people that value/love them; being worried that they have been taken advantage of by those they previously valued.
Ayn Rand effect:
Son: I've been reading Ayn Rand, and her
book has lead me to question all my relationships. She says that collectivism is a sin and thus just because I belong to a race, family, nation or other group, it doesn'
t mean that it's in my self-interest to believe as they do. I need to have my own objective reasoning.
Father: So your rejecting your religion, family and everything I ever taught you because of a
book?
Son: Well, I just don't think it's a justification for a morality anymore.
Father: I'm writing you out of my
will. How's that for being rationally self-interested?