Selfish or selfless...?

Question

Do all human actions have a selfish motive? A man gives money to a beggar. Is it purely selfless, or is he donating the money so he doesn't feel bad, so he doesn't feel guilty, etc.? Ayn Rand thinks everything is in self-interest.

Answer 1

selfish
we do things for a purpose, though we may not admit it.

Answer 2

We do everything for a purpose, but does that make everything selfish? If you say that it does are you not saying that a motivated act is a selfish act and as all acts are motivated they are all selfish. "Selfish" in this sense doesn't really mean anything, does it? You will have just defined an "act" as a "selfish act", you may aswell just drop the "selfish" and say "act".

For the word to have any meaning you must at least outline concievable possible acts that would not be "selfish". You could then give meaning to the proposition that there are no un-selfish acts. It would be along the lines of "if a human being were to act in this way it would be a selfless act. Human being could act this way if they weren't selfish, but as they are selfish then they never do".

I haven't read much Ayn Rand but I've a feeling her definition of selfless is on the lines of "it is entirely unmotivated" and is thus spurious. I would also take issue with the implied shift from "not purely selfless" to "entirely self interested" (this seems to come from the statement that everything is self-interest).

Now I can think of a conceivable act that would have at least an element of selflessness. Your man giving money to a begger is an atheist, so there is no God watching. He is also, apart from the beggar, alone: so he can't be showing off to anyone. The begger doesn't approach him, so there is no "coercion by embarassment".

Would you say that that was an, at least partially, unselfish act? And would you also say that that has NEVER happened? I'm sure you could come up with many other examples.

Answer 3

Balance is the key to enlightenment. There is nothing wrong with self or selfless oriented actions. We need both of these in balance to be a healthy individual.

And Ayn Rand is outright wrong. Often people project their own self orientation onto the larger reality which does not always fit the vast variations life presents. It is possible to commit a selfless action.

Would I ever throw myself in front of a bus to save a person. I can definitely conceive of it. How does it serve my interest if I am dead? When that moment comes, if you are in tune with the Tao, you will appropriately act. It is possible I may chose not to commit such an action. It just really depends on the context of my situation in relation to the larger events going on around me.

Answer 4

I have thought about this long and hard, and Ayn Rand is correct. I'm not just saying that, but I know it is true.

I would word it slightly differently. All purposeful intelligent actions have the goal of self benefit. This benefit can be short termed or long termed. But it's impossible to do something that is completely selfless.

I would define selfishness two ways. We can be selfish by doing good to other people and receive our reward of a good conscience. Or we can by selfish by doing harm to other people in a false attempt to elevate ourselves.

Good selfishness brings lasting happiness, and it benefits yourself and others. This kind of selfishness is usually labeled selfless by the world.

Answer 5

I get the jist of your question, but for example, the money given to a person made homeless by hurricane Katrina would help that person greatly, plus as an added bonus make the giver feel good about themselves.

Call it selfish or selfless, what does it really matter?

I know there is the notion that selfishness is bad, but in a differing context it isn't. When little kids won't share their cookies or toys for no reason, that could be called selfish because they are keeping all the "goods" to themselves and no one else. But, when money or time is given and others do get a share of what you have and are helped by it, I don't see how that could be construed as selfish. Giving of money could be a hardship to the giver as well, how many of us have "extra" money?

Answer 6

When I give money to a beggar, it is absoluely selfless... However, I used to give so just I wouldn't feel bad later because I didn't give. Through the years I've learned that not all beggars want food. They'll use the money for drugs, alcohol, etc. So if I'm in doubt, I offer them food instead... If they say no, then I have my answer....

Answer 7

both are possible, the problem is no way others can find out the actual motives of an action since it's and internal drive. from an observer point of view utilitarian perspective might be useful to see if the action related to any expectation of 'benefits', by simply evaluating what does the person gain from committing any particular action. but personally, as a third party observer, why bother so much, the result is more important than the motives.

Answer 8

Yes most people act only in self-interest but there are those who don't. Though I still wouldn't call it selfless one can act on what they believe is right regardless of self-interest, they are acting on their morals, beliefs, virtue whatever you want to call it. I've given money to beggars before and I truly feel no guilt or anything, I truly dislike beggars, but I sometimes give them money if I believe it will help though I'm sure in most cases it really doesn't.

Answer 9

Great question. In general, we are selfish because that was one of the first tools we acquired as a young child: to manipulate our parents for food, comfort, and play (joyful times). These basic needs, plus sexual intimacy and romance that we learn later in life, stay with us the rest of our lives.

However, we need to prove to ourselves (and others) that we are "good" humans. So, we pay attention to people's needs: sometimes provide empathy, sometimes provide constructive feedback, sometimes give money, and sometimes just lend an ear. We basically listen better, and respond more effectively. This way, we define and refine the meaning of "goodness."

As far as the motive for human actions, let met use this quote:

"All human actions have one or more of these seven causes: chance, nature, compulsions, habit, reason, passion, and desire." -Aristotle

When we help others or give money to needy, if it is a habit, it cannot be selfish. Otherwise, we might do it inconsistently, and our action could be out of sporadic feeling of passion or compulsions.

"Quality is not as act, it is a habit." -Aristotle

Answer 10

There is always a bit of selfishness in everybody; in today's society, if you don't watch out for yourself, you get burned -badly. There are some people out there who are truly selfless; but selfishness isn't exactly a wholly horrible thing - it's human nature. Just depends on how you manage it that determines your selfishness or selflessness.

Answer 11

Everyone is inherently selfish. To be a selfless person requires an act of God.