Selflessness...

[Arvestaked]

Does altruism really exist on its own or is it a form of selfishness?

All decisions are based on something selfish, whether it is to alleviate guilt or make yourself feel good for making another feel better or for doing something to open another door for yourself or just to acquire an obvious gain. Sexuality is 100% selfish. Charity is a 100% selfish. Loaning your friend money even though you would prefer to keep it is 100% selfish.

Or is it?

Is it logical to have opposites be the same thing? If opposites can be referred to the same way, does that cancel out the higher classification? By that I mean: if 'selfishness1' and 'altruism' are opposites but can be classified as 'selfishness2', does that automatically negate 'selfishness2'? Or does it negate altruism as I suggested before? If 'selfishness2' is negated and selfishness and altruism exist separately, do we have to ignore the fact that acts of altruism cause benefit to the actor at a conscious level?

[Anonymouse]

You can argue this ten thousand ways. Some will agree some will not, and everyone will have miles of opinion and "experience" to prove themselves.

[loseyourname]

I'm not all concerned with motivation, to be perfectly honest. Whether or not I am being selfish, if a seemingly selfless act gets the job done, so be it. For that reason, I am very openly selfish, but still manage to perform acts that are beneficial to the ones I care about.

[Aphrodit3]

Not everything is a selfish act.
My uncle took a bullet that was meant for his best friend. He jumped in front of the guy, got a bullet in the head and of course, died. Can you tell me that's a selfish act? Does my uncle feel good or less guilty now that he's dead?
I don't like being reduced to an animal motivated by self-interest and lacking in will power, reason or judgement.

[Arvestaked]

Originally posted by Aphrodit3 Not everything is a selfish act.
My uncle took a bullet that was meant for his best friend. He jumped in front of the guy, got a bullet in the head and of course, died. Can you tell me that's a selfish act? Does my uncle feel good or less guilty now that he's dead?

Yes it is. It made him feel better at that moment to make that decision.

I don't like being reduced to an animal motivated by self-interest and lacking in will power, reason or judgement.

I know you do not. That is why I started this thread.

[Aphrodit3]

I don't think the thought of dying made him feel better. It was an impulsive decision. I doubt this was his desired outcome, why would he be motivated by death?

[loseyourname]

He most likely was acting entirely on impulse. It was entirely reflexive, motivated by neither self-interest nor altruism. It proves no one's point and is a null example.

[Aphrodit3]

Originally posted by Arvestaked I know you do not. That is why I started this thread.

And it's a great thread, kudos to you!

[Arvestaked]

Originally posted by Aphrodit3 And it's a great thread, kudos to you!

I appologize for trying to incite discussion. Go read sex threads.

[sSsflamesSs]

Originally posted by Aphrodit3 I don't think the thought of dying made him feel better. It was an impulsive decision. I doubt this was his desired outcome, why would he be motivated by death?

It was either a purely impulsive action

or

his love for his friend outweighed his fear/dislike of death, which still makes the action, whether you like it or not, selfish, since it was self-centered, however brave.