2006-12-23 06:16:09 · 17 answers · asked by Random Person 4 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
If it is I wish there were a lot more selfish people around. It sounds like it could be contagious, and make for a happier world.
Don
2006-12-23 06:20:13 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you have this kind of thinking, then all good deeds in the world will make us selfish.Because we actually, doing good things because it makes us happy or comfortable.
I think the " us happy " it self just a result of doing good deeds.
So my question is, do you really don't want to make people happy because it would be selfish that you are happy too?
Doesn't this question sounds more selfish ?
2006-12-24 05:13:39 · answer #2 · answered by anchovy_ICS 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, wanting someone to be happy that is nice that does make you selfish.
2006-12-25 02:15:01 · answer #3 · answered by linda c 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. There are no altruistic actions. Unless you would die to make the person happy. But then you are probably being selfish by wanting to be remembered after your death. However, if you think like this for too long you become depressed and need to be more selfish until you are happy again. And the cycle begins again...
2006-12-23 06:20:40 · answer #4 · answered by splat 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋
It is kind if you just want this someon to be happy...what would be selfish, and stupid, is, if you want to impose your ideas on how this person could be happy and if you try to make them happy in a way you'd expect them to be happy instead of to let them find out for themselves what "happy" means to them...
2006-12-26 09:49:36 · answer #5 · answered by Stella86 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is a good question.
I do not know how in English it differs but in my language we call it like " self-centered" and " selfish."
It is normal to be"self-centered."You follow YOUR logic, and because its your logic, you choose parts of the life for yourself. This must not create a problem for the other people who have this idea too.
For example, a mother loves her child,because; there is a connection between mother and child due to it is HER child, but this situation does not harm(must not harm) the child.
If you get better with harming somebody this is "selfish". This only harms you too in a short or long way run.
My cheap idea is that (a different perception) everybody is same and nature is one. If you harm somebody or something, you will harm yourself.
This rule may help.
2006-12-23 06:26:11 · answer #6 · answered by ORKAN E 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Let's see what the dictionary (Merriam-Webster Online) says:
Selfish -
1 : concerned excessively or exclusively with oneself : seeking or concentrating on one's own advantage, pleasure, or well-being without regard for others.
2 : arising from concern with one's own welfare or advantage in disregard of others.
The answer to your question is Y.E.S.
In my humble opinion, the usage of the word "want" is to denote the idea of expectation. It doesn't matter if the subject matter is altruistic in nature.
To put it simply, your idea of making someone happy might not be the very idea of happiness the person has in mind.
If you are to enforce, impose or exercise such a "want" on this person no matter how altruistic it is, doesn't this exactly mirror the definitions of the word "selfish"?
2006-12-23 08:25:09 · answer #7 · answered by Josephus 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If a person's happiness makes you happy, then clearly, you care about this person, so even though it benefits you too, it doesn't really make you selfish.
2006-12-23 06:18:16 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would say its not selfish, I mean think of gift giving, there is nothing wrong with that, and the whole object when you give a gift is to bring joy to others, I don't think I should feel guilty about feeling good over that. The bible says that it brings joy to God to give good gifts to His children
2006-12-23 06:28:55 · answer #9 · answered by nyker 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, quite the opposite! It actually means that you are very UNselfish, as you want other people to be happy, and in turn, feel joy yourself.
2006-12-23 06:48:33 · answer #10 · answered by Ashley 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋