Quote:I think you're confusing sympathic joy with the pursuit of personal happiness ((perspective).
Not sure I understand what you mean. The word 'altruism' has just popped into my mind,and that's a problem for me. Although I accept there are many altruistic acts performed,often (I'm even guilty myself occasionally) I've never met an altruistic person [as far as I can tell]
It seems to me our world views are so different that there is no middle ground. I see human beings as only animals with delusions of grandeur. As a species we have few redeeming qualities.The plant and all other living things will be far better off without us.
Quote:A cynic is what an idealist calls a realist (Sir Humphrey Appleby)
PS: Your argument about atheists and schadenfreude is indeed Tu quoque.That some atheist share that quality is irrelevant.
Bored now