What do you all think of this quote?
"Of all the nonsense that twists the world, the concept of 'altruism' is the worst. People do what they want to, every time. If it pains them, to make a choice- if the 'choice' looks like a 'sacrifice' -- you can be sure that it is no nobler than the discomfort caused by greediness... the necessity of having to decide between two things you want when you can't have both. The ordinary bloke suffers every time he chooses between spending a buck on beer or tucking it away for his kids, between getting up to go to work and losing his job. But he always chooses that which hurts least or pleasures most. The scoundrel and the saint make the same choices."
- Robert A. Heinlein, "Stranger in a Strange Land"
2006-12-12 14:58:11 · 4 answers · asked by Praise Singer 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
My wife and I have worked with emotionally disturbed and delinquent kids for over 30 years. We currently live with kids who have very serious problems. 45 IQ, depression, ADHD, conduct disorder, registered sex offenders; you know, just regular kids. Well, there are some occasions when people tell me that they think I am so wonderful. No I'm not, I do what I like. I am no better or more noble than the kid that asks if I want fries with my burger. We do what we like or what we can.
For example, I heard about a 10-year-old autistic kid who can't talk and can't feed himself but ate the plaster in his room and smeared feces on the walls and floor every night. I chose to tear off the plaster and put up OSB board then fiberglass on the walls, then grind off a layer of **** from the floor, install underlayment then vinyl on the floor. After half an hour the odor wasn't noticeable. How may people would have the opportunity to do something like this. I didn't mind it. My foster sons helped. Some owed court ordered restitution and this counted (as does Habitat for Humanity). I didn't mind doing this at all.
On the other hand, I would throw things at you if you made me play golf. I hate golf.
Is it altruism? I don't think so. It is just a lot more interesting to play a role in the human drama instead of sitting on your *** watching it on TV.
And I am usually very embarrassed when people say I'm so nice. Bullshit. I just do what I like and like what I do.
2006-12-12 15:12:01 · answer #1 · answered by valcus43 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
One example of "pure" altruism is organ donation. Of course, it can be rationalized that there are no acts without consequence (positive or negative) and so there are no pure acts of altruism. Some would even argue that the heroism displayed during the 9-11 crisis were not true altruism. Yet, when thinking of those folks who went into the buildings, fought the terrorists, helped complete strangers -- that was altruism. And so is the mom or dad willing to die for their child.
2006-12-12 23:06:42 · answer #2 · answered by mirysien 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Altruism is what Jesus was about, but most miss the mark. There was an earlier question about what we would wish for if we had 3 wishes from God. Almost everyone of the answers was self-centered. That is not altruism!
2006-12-12 23:03:17 · answer #3 · answered by Turnhog 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe he is mistaken. There are truly nice and noble people on this planet who are capable of true Altruism, even if they are few.
I have received more kindness from others who are themselves without, then I ever would have expected from those who have extra.
Heinlein was too rich to understand altruism.
2006-12-12 23:03:26 · answer #4 · answered by Clown Knows 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋