[QUOTE=Gilda]I disagree, but even if this is true, I'm not sure how it applies to a conception of oneself as a good or bad, which is something that is at a much higher level. [quote]
I thought you were assigning a bad label to being selfish, as you had previously posted this:
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Originally Posted by Gilda
Unfortunately, much of what I do still remains as an attempt at self-improvement, at moving myself forward, which is ultimately selfish.
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I took from that statement you thought being selfish was bad.
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Originally Posted by Gilda
As for carrying guilt, I don't see that as a bad thing. Guilt is how my emotions tell me I've done wrong, how I know that an action is something that hurt someone and shouldn't be repeated.
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While I agree that guilt is useful in a civilized society, I do think emotions can be negative. I based whether they are positive or negative on whether it is pleasant to have them or not. Thus, I think happiness, for example, is good, while guilt is bad. This doesn't mean guilt is not useful. It simply is unpleasant, and more likely to be self-destructive than happiness. As such, I don't do things in a manner that would leave me feeling guilty afterwards whenever possible.
That would be an interesting thread idea, actually...