[archon1410]

What? Would you not jump in the front of a running train or a car to save someone you love or care for? Your partner or your children, for example? Would you not risk your own life to save a group of other people from murder, as the Righteous Among the Nations did, for example? If you would, then you already believe in a higher good than your own life. If you wouldn't, that's a rather sad life and ideology you have.

[bheadmaster]

> Would you not jump in the front of a running train or a car to save someone you love or care for?

The question is not about saving someone who I love or care for, but rather some "higher good", which seems to be defined in terms of class hierarchy (dharma vs. mere peasant).

If I die to save someone I care about, that's not because they are better than me, but simply because I care about them. If you can't differentiate between the two, that's a rather sad life and ideology you have.

> Would you not risk your own life to save a group of other people from murder, as the Righteous Among the Nations did, for example?

No, I would not give my life to save a bunch of strangers. My life is much more valuable to me than theirs.

[archon1410]

> The question is not about saving someone who I love or care for, but rather some "higher good", which seems to be defined in terms of class hierarchy (dharma vs. mere peasant).

Dharma is not "defined" in class terms, Dharma simply means virtue, righteousness, correct conduct and so no, and "class terms" might be an aspect of it for it. In any case it isn't the only "higher good" around.

> If I die to save someone I care about, that's not because they are better than me, but simply because I care about them.

You recognise that it is possible to care about and care for someone or something other than you, even at your own expense. And it is possible to care other even when they are strangers. We know that because such people do exist.

It is not about others being "better" than you, but a simple recognition that things that are not you also have value (in of themselves, or/and for you). There is nothing more laughable than the narrow egoism of "only I matter".

[bheadmaster]

> There is nothing more laughable than the narrow egoism of "only I matter".

There is nothing more laughable than a layman being manipulated into thinking that killing himself for ideals somehow makes him noble.