are any of us really different?

[Hudini]

Originally Posted by Kush Lord

if you call someone selfish, itll be taken as an insult, not a compliment. Using the word selfish because someone does something that makes them feel good isnt really the right word to use.You can twist it up however you like, but selfish is generally used as a negative term.


self?ish
??[sel-fish]
–adjective
1. devoted to or caring only for oneself; concerned primarily with one's own interests, benefits, welfare, etc., regardless of others.
2. characterized by or manifesting concern or care only for oneself: selfish motives.
Origin:
1630–40; self + -ish 1

Related forms:
self?ish?ly, adverb
self?ish?ness, noun

Synonyms:
1. self-interested, self-seeking, egoistic; illiberal, parsimonious, stingy.

None of these things are inherently bad themselves unless you place them in that context. Apparently you are not comprehending this fact.

Also instead of playing semantics here, let's focus on the fact that it doesn't matter if it hurts peoples feelings. Can you not handle the fact that we do things for our own gain, no matter what it is? I'm not sure what the rub here is.

[Kush Lord]

Originally Posted by Hudini

None of these things are inherently bad themselves unless you place them in that context. Apparently you are not comprehending this fact.

Also instead of playing semantics here, let's focus on the fact that it doesn't matter if it hurts peoples feelings. Can you not handle the fact that we do things for our own gain, no matter what it is? I'm not sure what the rub here is.

when you use the word selfish, it implies arrogance and egotistical behaviour. That is how its generally defined.

Not everything we do is solely for our own gain,some people enjoy helping/giving to others. Now I know youre going to say they do it to "gain" enjoyment...but what else are they gonna feel? sadness?

[L Rag]

Originally Posted by Gloom

You act because you want.

Because you want to die? No. You act because you want to save the life of another.

How is that selfish?

Originally Posted by Hudini

It is the anticipatory feeling that is driving your specific example, and others before they come to fruition. It is in this time that ALL decisions are made, obviously, whether it regards their own mortality or not.

I'll ask again, man. How is sacrificing your life for another life a selfish act?

[Gloom]

Originally Posted by L Rag

Because you want to die? No. You act because you want to save the life of another.

How is that selfish?

Would you die for someone else for something other then want?

[L Rag]

Originally Posted by Gloom

Would you die for someone else for something other then want?

What?

I really don't understand. Instead of trivializing it, could you please just answer the question: how is sacrificing ones life for another a selfish act?

[Gloom]

Originally Posted by L Rag

What?

I really don't understand. Instead of trivializing it, could you please just answer the question: how is sacrificing ones life for another a selfish act?

Okay, lets ask this, why does one sacrifice their own life for another?

"because you want to save the life of another."

Now I ask (Again ), would you die for someone else for something other then want?

[L Rag]

Originally Posted by Gloom

Okay, lets ask this, why does one sacrifice their own life for another?

"because you want to save the life of another."

Now I ask (Again ), would you die for someone else for something other then want?

Huh? I'm not interested in why someone would sacrifice their life for another, because the answer is clear. I'm interested in how that action is not considered altruistic.

Just because one wants to save another, doesn't mean that action is not altruistic.

[Kush Lord]

Originally Posted by Gloom

Okay, lets ask this, why does one sacrifice their own life for another?

"because you want to save the life of another."

Now I ask (Again ), would you die for someone else for something other then want?

how does WANTING to save another persons life a selfish/egotistical/arrogant act?

you're just playing with words. if anything, wanting to do is makes it even less "selfish"

[Gloom]

Originally Posted by L Rag

Huh? I'm not interested in why someone would sacrifice their life for another, because the answer is clear. I'm interested in how that action is not considered altruistic.

Just because one wants to save another, doesn't mean that action is not altruistic.

Who is it that wants and by acting upon this, who's want is fulfilled? So then, who is the act done for?

Originally Posted by Kush Lord

how does WANTING to save another persons life a selfish/egotistical/arrogant act?

you're just playing with words. if anything, wanting to do is makes it even less "selfish"

You do realize that I never said selfish, egotistical, or arrogant, right?

[Kush Lord]

youre just playing with words, in the end there is no point to what youre saying.

helping others, giving to others, and sacrificing your life for another is not solely for the gain of the giver, but the receiver gains as well.

[L Rag]

Originally Posted by Gloom

Who is it that wants and by acting upon this, who's want is fulfilled? So then, who is the act done for?

...The other person?

Just because you want to do something, does not mean you want to do that particular thing for yourself.... seriously dude...

[k.smith904]

In a general sense, yes, we're all the same.

[ArgoSG]

All Gloom is trying to say is there is no such thing as a selfless act. As long as there is something to gain(including in the sacrifice of life), the act is not selfless. It doesn't mean it can't be great or incredibly noble. But everything is done with a certain real amount of self interest. This is the way all life works.

[L Rag]

Originally Posted by ArgoSG

All Gloom is trying to say is there is no such thing as a selfless act. As long as there is something to gain(including in the sacrifice of life), the act is not selfless. It doesn't mean it can't be great or incredibly noble. But everything is done with a certain real amount of self interest. This is the way all life works.

But how could ending ones existence be of possible self interest?

[ArgoSG]

Originally Posted by L Rag

But how could ending ones existence be of possible self interest?

In many contexts this is possible. A context where you don't value your existence over whatever would be achieved by you ending your existence is one example.(Saving the lives of others while putting yours in jeopardy)

There are numerous other contexts, like where you believe your existence does not end with your life ending, personal satisfaction is still a drive in these instances.