ChunkyZergling
Super Freak
Does altruism exist or is it just a word?
Altruism: ▶noun selfless concern for the well-being of others.
Altruism: ▶noun selfless concern for the well-being of others.
Does altruism exist or is it just a word?
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King Darkness
Super Freak
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It only exists in the Matrix.
Close thread.
Close thread.
I don't think it exists. I like to believe it does though.
DCM81
Super Freak
It's rare and definately not a permanent thing by anyone but it exists. Most commonly in situations with family and (really) loved ones.
ChunkyZergling
Super Freak
Me too. But think about it right. If some guy was total _______ and horrible person would you anonomymously give them lots of money? Hmm. If they treated you like ____. Wouldn't think so but hey, you never know. If you did though I would think you did it to make yourself feel good.
King Darkness
Super Freak
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Its happens in spurts. Sometimes you have it, most of the time you don't. Some people never get it. Some people have it more often then others. But ultimately, it comes and goes. Its like gas.
Darth Cruel
Super Freak
I think it happens far less than people believe. Even if you are very helpful to others...if you are deriving a feeling of pleasure from it, it is not altruism.
If you are doing something for others when you damned well do not want to and are gaining nothing by it...you may be practicing some altruism...maybe.
If you are doing something for others when you damned well do not want to and are gaining nothing by it...you may be practicing some altruism...maybe.
I don't think what you derive from it AFTER the fact really matters.
If you're doing it because of that feeling, that's another thing.
If you see someone in trouble and you drop everything to help them, say, like someone being mugged, I doubt you're thinking about how good it will feel to help someone before you help. You don't have time to think that. You just do it!
I think I'm making sense.
Yeah I can see how DCM and King could be right. But is it truly altruism if it is merely a reflex?
ebor
Super Freak
I believe altruism exists, and can be seen in many ways, and daily if you look for it.
There are many examples of self-sacrifice in the face of imminent or immediate danger. And no not just because if may be part of your job: ie Police, Fire, Ambulance, Military etc...
There are many good deeds done by people to complete strangers that may be small gestures, but could be considered altruistic.
Hope this isn't just another thread, geared for sarcasm and self-effacing wit (not directed at the creator of the thread, more to the typical responses of sarcastic responses herein)
There are many examples of self-sacrifice in the face of imminent or immediate danger. And no not just because if may be part of your job: ie Police, Fire, Ambulance, Military etc...
There are many good deeds done by people to complete strangers that may be small gestures, but could be considered altruistic.
Hope this isn't just another thread, geared for sarcasm and self-effacing wit (not directed at the creator of the thread, more to the typical responses of sarcastic responses herein)
ChunkyZergling
Super Freak
Why do some people never get it? How'd you come up with that? Why would it come in spurts? Why do sometimes you have it most of the time you dont? If you say something so precise you have to back it by giving examples or at least explaining how you drew those conclusions othetwise your statements have no merit.
ChunkyZergling
Super Freak
I don't think what you derive from it AFTER the fact really matters.
If you're doing it because of that feeling, that's another thing.
If you see someone in trouble and you drop everything to help them, say, like someone being mugged, I doubt you're thinking about how good it will feel to help someone before you help. You don't have time to think that. You just do it!
I think I'm making sense.
I would think if I help someone else without thinking about it and at potential sacrifice to myself, I think I would be doing it because I like people. I'm a people person and I am always friendly and nice to new people I meet.
You haven't figured out yet that some people on this board know all there is to know about everything?
Mr. EcKo
OG Freak
ChunkyZergling
Super Freak
Can't find it but there is a pic out there of a swift (bird) that looks like he is trying to pick his dead friend off the road. In reality he was raping his friends corpse.
Ehhh, like 95% of the threads on this forum, this is just worthless. Comical, but worthless.
Funny, I was just thinking about this the other day.
I think it depends on the definition you use for altruism.
I believe it does not exist if you count the feeling one gets for doing a good deed. I sometimes go out of my way to help people which gives me no monetary or any other extrinsic gain. However, a) it makes me feel good about myself and b) I believe in some form of Karma: not in a spiritual sense, but in a way that I believe in the good in people and think that if I treat people with respect and kindness, it will come to me as well.
So using that definition, altruism does not exist, and cannot by definition IMO.
I think it depends on the definition you use for altruism.
I believe it does not exist if you count the feeling one gets for doing a good deed. I sometimes go out of my way to help people which gives me no monetary or any other extrinsic gain. However, a) it makes me feel good about myself and b) I believe in some form of Karma: not in a spiritual sense, but in a way that I believe in the good in people and think that if I treat people with respect and kindness, it will come to me as well.
So using that definition, altruism does not exist, and cannot by definition IMO.
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