Are most people ultimately selfish?

Question

I don't believe anyone can be motivated to do anything if there isn't something in it for them. Even the most religious people act in a manner that may appear selfless but in reality do things so that they can be rewarded by their God. Maybe I am biased, but,
do you think you could ever be motivated to do something and get nothing out of it?

Answer 1

As far as being motivated to do something and get nothing out of it, I do that all the time, and I'm sure a lot of people do the same. It's not a matter of thinking in terms of being rewarded or even doing the right thing; for some people feeling compassion for others is as natural as breathing. I just don't want to hurt anyone, and I want to make them feel good when I can. It's just human intelligence - humanity - the sense of feeling connected to others. People can be compassionate and kind without being connected to 'God' or religion.

Answer 2

Complicated question.
Yes, I think most people, if not all people, are selfish, in a sense. What about the mother who throws her body across her child in a crash...she sacrifices her own life in the hope of saving the child? Her "reward" is knowing that her child will live. Or again, what about parents who go without basic necessities in order to provide for their children? They are "rewarded" by seeing their children grow up happy and healthy.
What about the brave men who go to war for their country of their own free will, knowing that they could very well be killed? Their "reward" is in knowing that their deaths will help to secure our freedoms.
What about men and women who give of their time and their means in order to fight for some cause they believe in? Perhaps pro-life, just as an example. That person's "reward" is the satisfaction of knowing that they have helped save a child's life.
Would you say that a man who does something special for his wife, or a woman who tries to please her husband, are "selfish" because they are looking forward to the happy reaction they will recieve? Yes, in a way.
I could go on.
Do religious people look for a reward? Another complicated question. If they are more concerned with looking "righteous" to the world, God says their motivation is skewed. On the other hand, those who are devoted to God in a loving relationship are rewarded in many ways. Most importantly, they have a real relationship with God...a precious thing.
Maybe you need to examine your own motives.

Answer 3

Everything that you do is motivated by self interest. EVERYTHING, but that is not a bad thing. If you are a good person it is in your best interest to help others because you value others happiness and it makes you feel good. On the other side of it, doing harmful or bad things serves a purpose to those that do them, because that is what they value. Nothing you do can be truly selfless because you can never get away from your "SELF". However good deeds are still GOOD, it doesn't matter if they make you happy too, that is just a bonus!

Answer 4

good question.

no.

If I did an unselfish act I did it for myself so I would feel better about myself (plus the act itself). And doing it to feel better was ultimately helping whom ever needed it. (you wouldn't do it to feel worse.)

God's opinion of it would be a bonus - cover all bases, but deep down I think you have it or you don't. Really, it's not that hard to help someone / something.

Answer 5

It's funny, I'm selfish in certain situations but not in others.

I help women on the subway carry their strollers up the stairs.

Then I hurry up and press the"Door Close" Button on the elevator, leaving someone behind and snicker "Too slow sucka!"

Go figure.

Answer 6

People who are not selfish soon become extinct.

Animals are incapable of pure altruism.

Feeling good is a reward. Those who do "good deeds" only do so because it makes them "feel good" and is no different than any other reward.

Answer 7

In a way what you ask is True. We not want to admit to this, but, YES, we are all selfish in certain ways. I will not go into detail, just answer your question. Some will disagree from their inner selfishness. But, the answer is YES. Just, what area are we selfish in? That is what we must each ask ourselves.

Answer 8

yes people are very selfish like JESUS CHRIST AND GOD JEHOVAH the two beasts who wanted your worship.

see sum those up based on this pattern god=g+o+d=7+14+5=2+6=8=h

and see GOD JEHOVAH=e and CHRIST JESUS=g so jehovah is in heaven but jesus is not. and h is the god who is first in heaven and you treated him like the last one on earth, so is it any wonder wars happen.

He this h is the one who vanquished satan but really hated to do it cause satan makes it into heaven also.

[
i
L
II
E
M=IVI stitched together

worship no god but ME and ME=IVI stitched together [iL

and sent money now to HIS fortress of solitude. cause 670 dollars a month just don't feed the orphan who is god when rent is 475.

Answer 9

ultimately nothing is the ultimate but i think you are right for the most part but this week i started babysitting for my older sister and i didnt exactly want to , not knowing if i was going to get apid or not so i guess it depends on the situation or the person.

Answer 10

I suppose if you did something and received self satisfaction and nothing else you are getting something out of it. To do something positive without even receiving self satisfaction would make us
rather robotic would it not?