are any of us really different?

[HighHaze]

in the end we are all seeking happiness or satisfaction, we just seek different things. what makes us happy i dont think we have too much control over. like for example, if you like ipods, you cant just tell yourself "ok, im gonna not be happy if i get one as a present", its just a natural reaction to be happy when you get it.

i never cared too much for shallow materialistic people, but i mean they are just being happy too right? music makes me happy, so i imagine that some people may get that same feeling when i am writing. sure, maybe writing positive music to inspire society may seem better, but maybe those are just all of the things that CAME with my passion for music, not necessarily the reason why i do it (although i THINK so, but the brain can fool itself)

anyone else ever think about this? its like nothin is altruistic at all. or is this just a pessimisstic point of view?

[Hudini]

No, it is true that altruism doesn't exist. Everything is done for some kind of selfish gain. Even being altruistic is selfish, because you do it to make yourself feel better.

[Kush Lord]

Originally Posted by Hudini

No, it is true that altruism doesn't exist. Everything is done for some kind of selfish gain. Even being altruistic is selfish, because you do it to make yourself feel better.

part of being "selfish" means lack of consideration for others, its used in a negative way.

if someone is doing something to make themself feel better, there is nothing wrong with that.

this site is gay.

[Hudini]

Originally Posted by Kush Lord

part of being "selfish" means lack of consideration for others, its used in a negative way.

if someone is doing something to make themself feel better, there is nothing wrong with that.

No, that is you giving it a negative connotation. It has no inherent context, and as such allows for free use in whatever way. "Selfish" does not necessarily mean lack of consideration for others unless you propose that through context using other words within a sentence.

selfish Adjective
1. caring too much about oneself and not enough about others
2. (of behaviour or attitude) motivated by self-interest

The first definition is wishy-washy ("too much" is something that we all have our own definition for ). #2 is what I mean, and I hope this clears it up for you.
I say that altruism is dead, and it is clearly driven by selfish reasons- not necessarily a bad thing (unless put in that context.)



We all do things for our own gain... The mere existence of the concept of altruism only exists as a reward for behavior, the conclusion of which is decided by societal boundries.

Originally Posted by IMME

Human beings were created equal. The only thing that differences us as humans is our level of faith.

I don't even know what you are trying to say. Faith in what? Faith in "God"? Faith in society? Faith in science? Faith in each other? Furthermore, what does that have to do with altruism and/or the motivation for doing things?

[iPwnF00lz]

We are all one, connected as one, the illusion of seperateness is the one thing that destroys the world and causes out wars violence and hate. Quantum physics anyone?

this site is gay

[Hudini]

Originally Posted by IMME

Yeah Hudini. Faith in God. Where else does faith come from?

Trust. That's where faith comes from- not "God" or anyone else living or not.

[L Rag]

Originally Posted by Hudini

No, it is true that altruism doesn't exist. Everything is done for some kind of selfish gain. Even being altruistic is selfish, because you do it to make yourself feel better.

I'd argue that although altruistic acts make you feel better, that's not the reason why people do those actions.

I don't see how sacrificing ones life for another's isn't an altruistic action

[Hudini]

It is, by definition, the personal quality of unselfish concern for the welfare of others. It is inherently flawed as all actions are generated from any number of actual selfish concerns. It is not actually that you are performing these actions out of mere altruism or better known as "The kindness of one's heart", but are instead acting out of one's own wants and needs.

[L Rag]

Originally Posted by Hudini

It is, by definition, the personal quality of unselfish concern for the welfare of others. It is inherently flawed as all actions are generated from any number of actual selfish concerns. It is not actually that you are performing these actions out of mere altruism or better known as "The kindness of one's heart", but are instead acting out of one's own wants and needs.

How do one's wants and needs factor into dying in order to let someone else live?

[Gloom]

Originally Posted by L Rag

How do one's wants and needs factor into dying in order to let someone else live?

You act because you want.

[Kush Lord]

Originally Posted by Hudini

No, that is you giving it a negative connotation. It has no inherent context, and as such allows for free use in whatever way. "Selfish" does not necessarily mean lack of consideration for others unless you propose that through context using other words within a sentence.

selfish Adjective
1. caring too much about oneself and not enough about others
2. (of behaviour or attitude) motivated by self-interest

The first definition is wishy-washy ("too much" is something that we all have our own definition for ). #2 is what I mean, and I hope this clears it up for you.
I say that altruism is dead, and it is clearly driven by selfish reasons- not necessarily a bad thing (unless put in that context.)



We all do things for our own gain... The mere existence of the concept of altruism only exists as a reward for behavior, the conclusion of which is decided by societal boundries.

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.

[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.

[sensimil]

Originally Posted by HighHaze

are any of us really different? in the end we are all seeking happiness or satisfaction, we just seek different things.

I dont think so, but other people make me feel so!