And is there such a thing as the selfish gene, are people really born selfish, or do they learn to become selfish, and if there is a selfish gene then is there also an unselfish gene (altruism)...so what do people out there believe are we born with a selfish gene?.......
2006-10-21 09:03:52 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
I think it goes back to the issue of Nature vs. Nurture. By nature, people may perhaps be slightly selfish, and we can attribute that to Darwin's theory of the survival of the fittest (natural selection). If we aren't a little selfish, we will cease to exist. However, the degree of selfishness can vary depending on how we are brought up (nurture). If we are not taught there is an extent to what is proper and what is not, we tend to be selfish to the point where others around us see us as nothing more than selfish people. In a comment made earlier in regard to infants, they have no other way of communicating that something is wrong. It isn't that they are selfish, it is that they are trying to survive and be more comfortable.
2006-10-21 09:55:17 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I believe we are born selfish. We have to LEARN not to be. Think about it: babies are the most selfish creatures. They don't care what's going on around them, they just want and need to be cared for no matter the situation. They don't care if they wake you up at 2am. They don't care that you don't like changing their poo. They don't care if you're out of milk, they want it RIGHT NOW!
As we get older, we have to learn humility. Some people however do not practice it. There's just so much greed and selfishness in this world.
So I guess I would have to say we are born with a selfish gene
2006-10-21 16:17:20 · answer #2 · answered by MoMoney23 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We are not born selfish. we are born basically innocent, like a blank canvas, we may have dispositions towards some traits but they are not guarantee to surface unless they are taught and influencing the child. Toddlers are selfish and egocentric but it is a protective mechanism for them, they need to be concerned with themselves and are only able to have a self perspective. they are not intentionally being selfish in the way that we see it because they do not understand that concept, it is up to the parents and society to let them know and teach them that empathy and compassion for others is acceptable behavior.
2006-10-21 16:21:25 · answer #3 · answered by tiff-so-fierce 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think people are born selfish. I think it is a learned trait, whether it's from your parents, your teachers, friends or some other person in your life. I also think people have choices in their lives of how they want to be. My grandmother has one personality and my mother is totally different--my mother made a choice for the better. Hope this helps!
2006-10-21 16:13:29 · answer #4 · answered by acdshottie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All of the above. There are some people who are born selfish, and others who have learned this trait through their lives.
There are also people who are born giving and totally unselfconscious, and there are others who learn this trait with a lot of hard work.
People are people, and no two are alike.
2006-10-21 16:13:22 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They have filmed seamen in the womb,Some blocking foreign sperm others attacking them and killing the invaders.While others fight their way to the egg in a hostile environment.So,I feel its all about survival of the fittest.If we weren't selfish,we wouldn't be here now.Sharing has to be learned,and some never get it.Politicians,Judges,Cops and Corporate C.E.O.'s.Slimy self-serving selfish control freak bastards.But,its just my opinion,watching beings for almost 50 yrs.
2006-10-21 17:41:00 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think we are born selfish...you know how it is with ALL little kids...everything belongs to THEM and everything is THEIRS and they don't want to share with anyone. They have to learn to share. Kids eventually learn that they are not the center of the universe and it is a big shock to some of them.
2006-10-21 22:38:37 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I do not believe this is a birth trait. I believe it to be a learned trait. If it runs in families, it is because it is learned through that family not from birth.
2006-10-21 16:06:44 · answer #8 · answered by julie l 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. Sub teach Kindergarten sometime and watch how incredibly selfish kids are. Mine mine mine!!!
2014-10-17 20:46:57 · answer #9 · answered by CO guy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i believe we are born selfish, and evil, we're savages! we learn the good from others
2006-10-21 16:09:15 · answer #10 · answered by acbm 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋