The forum discussion centers on the philosophical question of whether truly selfless acts exist, with participants debating various scenarios such as sacrificing one's life for others, giving to charity, and instinctive actions during emergencies. Key points include the notion that all actions are driven by motivational considerations, even those perceived as selfless. Participants argue that even acts of charity can be selfish if they provide personal satisfaction or social approval. Ultimately, the consensus leans towards the idea that every action, including those intended to be selfless, carries an element of self-interest.
PREREQUISITESThis discussion is beneficial for philosophers, ethicists, psychologists, and anyone interested in the complexities of human motivation and moral behavior.
Solar Eclipse said:o.k. so now there are solid arguments for and against selfish actions. I think that there are selfish actions but not all actions are selfish. is this agreeable?
JUSTANAME said:Self is what is progating on this thread. Not selfless. The need to be right is not a selfless act. What occurs is going after a poisition on a thread to attempt to be the big dog.
To understand the question and the answer you must enter a relm you don't even know exists. You must pay the price to climb the mountain. You cannot say it exists or does not exist through the words of a book or the eyes of another.
JUSTANAME said:Self? Who will define it for me? Maybe it would be the Cocaine addict Fred? Fraud? Frued that's it. LOL Maybe it will be some professor who loves to write paper upon paper to justify his position of academia and has long forgotten the soul of truth or the hope of its understanding. Maybe. maybe. maybe...
What is self? Please use the sum of your experience and not someone elses. What are it's defining characteristics? Does it have limits? What are they? What is the function of the system? How did this system arise? After you have defined self, what systems does it apply to? What characteristics must that system have? Yada yada yada...
Solar Eclipse said:ok. so suicide isn't a gene. does that mean it violates the laws baywax stated and is indeed a selfish act?
K.J.Healey said:I don't do it to stop her from asking for food.
I don't feel good about feeding her. I do it without even thinking. I see an empty bowl and I fill it.
While I understand the whole "habit fulfillment" thing being considered selfish in some way, isn't it really a subconscious selfishness? Can that even be considered selfish?
I guess I think its all up to semantics. Selfish in my book means a primary concern for ones self. Actions that just happen to benefit you without consideration I do not deem selfish.
I do not feed my cat to feel happy about myself. I may do it so she doesn't starve. The fact that I MAY feel happy about it (or may not) is inconsequential. It was not the REASON the act was performed.
robertm said:It is impossible to be involved in anything physically without involving yourself. So no you can't do anything 'sans the self'. However this thread is pretty pointless because the question is one of semantics, and semantics are notoriously difficult...ie... 9 pages and over 3,000 views.