Or we might say that we disagree with those ideas. The greatest and most important thing individuals can (and ought to) do is strive to make the world a better place for all, even if their own self-interest suffers for it.

If that's your personal opinion about how you want to live your life, that's your decision and your right.

A question - is this just your opinion about your own life, or are you willing to state that these views should be mandated as a practice?

And who decides what constitutes making the world "better"?

Either way, this type of value system places the individual at the mercy and servitude of others. I do not believe servitude is noble, not in any form nor for any purpose.

If a person strives to make the world a better place, if that's their wish and their highest value, that's fine.

But remember that when individuals set out to do their best, for themselves , others usually benefit, either directly or residually.

As Ayn Rand wrote in Anthem, "I need no warrant for being, and no word of sanction upon my being. I am the warrant and the sanction"