We're all selfish.

[ClaudeKersey]

It's true.

There is no kindness in the world. No "kind act" is truly altruistic in nature; it is done so that one can feel good, to tell oneself that oneself is a good person.

Even if we could, we won't save someone from their demise.

 

[deleted]

After being betrayed so many times, the only way to survive in this world is to be selfish and put yourself first

 

[4mom]

It's true.

There is no kindness in the world. No "kind act" is truly altruistic in nature; it is done so that one can feel good, to tell oneself that oneself is a good person.

Even if we could, we won't save someone from their demise.

For me, it is not this way. When I act in kindness towards someone else it usually does make me feel good about myself - that's true. So what? What if everyone did so? Maybe at least this crappy world would be altruistically better. Still, it's not the only reason acts of kindness are done. Ofen those acts have cost me. I feel exhausted and old, yet I have a son who is 25 and can't leave his room. I don't want to go and buy him cigarettes, but I do. What did I get out of it? He wasn't thankful, because he expected it. He was home all-day gaming. I worked all day, have long covid and depression. I am at work and someone asks me a favor - and I do it. I didn't feel good about myself either. I wondered instead if they'd do the same for me. I feel more like a doormat than I do a back patter... So why do I do kind things? I honestly don't know, other than to say that I feel we are supposed to be this way as humans, and mostly everyone else hasn't figured it out yet.

 

[_Minsk]

I think there is altruism but many are selfish sadly:/

 

[ClaudeKersey]

For me, it is not this way. When I act in kindness towards someone else it usually does make me feel good about myself - that's true. So what? What if everyone did so? Maybe at least this crappy world would be altruistically better. Still, it's not the only reason acts of kindness are done. Ofen those acts have cost me. I feel exhausted and old, yet I have a son who is 25 and can't leave his room. I don't want to go and buy him cigarettes, but I do. What did I get out of it? He wasn't thankful, because he expected it. He was home all-day gaming. I worked all day, have long covid and depression. I am at work and someone asks me a favor - and I do it. I didn't feel good about myself either. I wondered instead if they'd do the same for me. I feel more like a doormat than I do a back patter... So why do I do kind things? I honestly don't know, other than to say that I feel we are supposed to be this way as humans, and mostly everyone else hasn't figured it out yet.

The example you cited, he is your son. Perhaps you did it because society expects you to care for your family.

 

[4mom]

The example you cited, he is your son. Perhaps you did it because society expects you to care for your family.

I do it because I have hope that he will be happy again like he was when he was a little boy. I have hope that I'll be happy again like I was when he was a little boy. I don't care what you, or anyone in society thinks of me. I am kind because being the opposite of that is not good for me or for any others. If being kind was punishable, would I still be kind? In that case, perhaps I would not be, out of fear. However, I would still risk my life and punishment to help my children even if society deemed it punishable.

 

[FuneralCry]

I believe that many people are very selfish and they only care about what directly affects themselves. Many people would do anything just to make themselves feel better. I agree with what you are saying and I believe that it is just the way that humans are.

 

[Blondi]

No "kind act" is truly altruistic in nature;

• Disagree, I would argue that feeling good and thinking are two separate things. You can feel without thinking (being in vegetative state) and think without feeling (logic) . For example, one can feel nothing of a good or a bad value when solving math equations. In that example, you are just building a mathematical model on it's own. It's similar about acting decently. For example, you can be vegan purely on the unthinking emotional reaction. But you can also be vegan because you have knowledge and facts that animals getting hurt is morally bad and unjustifiable. In in the latter example your actions are mainly dictated by the facts and the logical conclusions first and feelings second. And if you act mainly on logic and a good feeling is just the logical reward then the conclusion follows that some altruistic acts are altruistic acts on their on.
  

 

[Sherri]

Well to break the ice on your tittle there is kindness, I have offered my home to 3 members I knew well that were about to get evicted. We spoke through here and other channels when tge trust was 100%. When they told me that I offered my home. One an old lady from Florida across the pond, nut she was to ill to make the airplane journey, as she is on osygen 24/7. She didn't want to be a burden, the office still stnds although she got a room at her sisters house thank god in not a religious way for that so I know she was safe. Offered my house to 2 other members also. So yes there are still kind people in this world, not saying it's only me. But there are….many times I gave my hoodie to a homeless man or woman on the streets. And still I feel I have done nothing to help.

 

[whatevs]

Well to break the ice on your tittle there is kindness, I have offered my home to 3 members I knew well that were about to get evicted. We spoke through here and other channels when tge trust was 100%. When they told me that I offered my home. One an old lady from Florida across the pond, nut she was to ill to make the airplane journey, as she is on osygen 24/7. She didn't want to be a burden, the office still stnds although she got a room at her sisters house thank god in not a religious way for that so I know she was safe. Offered my house to 2 other members also. So yes there are still kind people in this world, not saying it's only me. But there are….many times I gave my hoodie to a homeless man or woman on the streets. And still I feel I have done nothing to help.

Yes, but as it was presented in "A clockwork orange" good people feel a neurochemical reward by doing selfless acts or helping others. So even there you can find some selfishness, although I agree that generally speaking people like that are "not selfish", because by virtue of their personality they care about others.

 

[OldDrummer]

After being betrayed so many times, the only way to survive in this world is to be selfish and put yourself first

No, just learn to recalibrate your arsehole-detector.

I've had nothing but good and supportive people in my mid and later life, despite a miserable childhood full of bullies.

But guess what? Karma normally deals with them.

 

[Sherri]

Yes, but as it was presented in "A clockwork orange" good people feel a neurochemical reward by doing selfless acts or helping others. So even there you can find some selfishness, although I agree that generally speaking people like that are "not selfish", because by virtue of their personality they care about others.

I see what you are trying to prove, but I don't need any chemical reward to do good. I'm broken inside still. I don't need chemical rewards or any prizes to do what's good. And I'm ashamed I don't have more money. Cause then I would help much more. I've been to chemo wards where children are full of tubes in their bodies that I had to hide in the toilet to cry. Do you think that's needing any type of neuro reward? I came home devastated.

 

[whatevs]

I see what you are trying to prove, but I don't need any chemical reward to do good. I'm broken inside still. I don't need chemical rewards or any prizes to do what's good. And I'm ashamed I don't have more money. Cause then I would help much more. I've been to chemo wards where children are full of tubes in their bodies that I had to hide in the toilet to cry. Do you think that's needing any type of neuro reward? I came home devastated.

That's an interesting case to use to test the hypothesis I floated. It doesn't seem like you actually gained anything there. Unless we go into spirituality, then supposedly you burned Karma or something like that.

I'm definitely more selfish than you. My own suffering seems more important than that of others and I wouldn't volunteer in general. I do help people when it's easy and kind of falls into my lap though.

 

[NegativeSymptoms]

 

[Sherri]

That's an interesting case to use to test the hypothesis I floated. It doesn't seem like you actually gained anything there. Unless we go into spirituality, then supposedly you burned Karma or something like that.

I'm definitely more selfish than you. My own suffering seems more important than that of others and I wouldn't volunteer in general. I do help people when it's easy and kind of falls into my lap though.

That's what i like about ss, we respect each other's opinions. I like to read your posts by the way.