Altruism

[spooky_cat_23]

There is this idea of altruism....that someone can do something for someone else without any amount of selfishness

Comments

[azsunspot161]

you are not cynical, just unfortunately one who observes true reality....its not your fault the word is this way! I too notice this in my daily life, where no one seems t want to just be nice, courteous and/or hepful unless they get somethin out of it

Have a nice day

[spooky_cat_23]

Thanks Em, you have a nice day too!

[bards_song]

did we talk about this? i talked about it with someone recently, dammit, who was it?

but being a cynic myself i can safely it's true. it's not bad that it's true. what makes it ultimately the reasons. but the fact that something nice was done for someone else without regard to the motives, usually means a good thing.

[spooky_cat_23]

I am not sure if we talked about this.....but thanks for your comments.
We need to do coffee soon!

not true

[anonymous]

as much as i would like to believe that it is possible to do something for someone, i don't think it's out there. i can think of situations where i have done a small act for someone without thinking how it will benefit me, but in the end, somehow it does. for example, something small, like picking up someone's pen when it drops on the floor. you may not even think about your reward for bending over and getting it, but you will feel it afterward. if you get the 'thank you' when handing it back, you will feel like you really did a good dead for this person, and wow, i am so nice. then, there is the time when you don't get the 'thank you'. although you didn't even stop to think about what you would gain, you are now thinking, "man, fuck you, i didn't have to pick that up for you. next time you can get it your damn self". you see. even the smallest acts effect our ego. i do believe it's possible, though rare. if you can ignore all the bullshit that your mind makes up (i like to call it noise) then your ego will not get in the

Re: not true

[spooky_cat_23]

I think you hit the nail on the head for the point I was after. When I discuss this topic, and I say that I am not sure that people can really do something without expecting something in return, it's not that I think people necessarily think about that before they act, but you damn sure feel good about yourself when you do something for someone else (no matter how small the deed) - therefore, you really aren't doing things only for that person. That is precisely my point with that! Thanks for getting it.

How'd I miss this one?

[cloudmx]

There is a limit to a sense of altruism. Surely, people do good deeds for others, but I believe that the reward in itself is the good feeling you get after you've helped someone in a seemingly selfish fashion.

I do believe there is altruism, but it's not what people like to believe--meaning that the definition is misconstrued into being that there are no rewards for selfless acts. True altruism is doing something for someone else just for the smile on their face.

And I say this not in the sense that someone can feel better about themselves (i.e. "Hey, I did this nice thing for Anonymous Joe, so this makes me a good person."). That's entirely different.

Nobody walks away from an altruistic action empty-handed, even if their hands are empty by the end of it.

Re: How'd I miss this one?

[spooky_cat_23]

I like what you said at the end.....

Re: How'd I miss this one?

[cloudmx]

Now that I think about it, I like it, too. :O