>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"

Have you read 'The selfish gene' (Dawkins)
There's a well understood evolutionary benefit to altruism. e.g: :http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/altruism-biological/