Mr. Kapp's column Friday was incorrect in many ways in his discussion of altruism and self-sacrifice.

He claims that since we spend 99 percent of our time doing things for ourselves anyway, we somehow "owe" everyone else in the world and have to feel compelled to do something for them. The idea that people should feel guilty about doing things in their own self-interest is absolutely deadly. Being selfish and self-interested is not some evil concept as modern society sees it; rather these attributes are absolutely essential to man's survival. Being self-interested simply means being concerned with your own survival, and not complaining that the government, or your parents, or some certain racial group owes you something.

It is also completely incorrect that Objectivism decries all forms of charity. It is perfectly acceptable for people to contribute and participate in charity, provided they do so for the right reasons. Giving to charity out of guilt from your own success or sacrificing your own well-being by giving to charity is the worst reason to participate in a charity. Objectivism holds that pursuing your own happiness and success is one of the highest virtues a man can hold.

Giving to charity should be an act that provides the giver with selfish pleasure at knowing they are using their hard-earned money or their own personal effort to help some cause they enjoy, not an act spawned from guilt.