That every action that we do is a selfish act? I don't buy it.
2007-02-01 17:46:10 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
As a Christian I would agree with the premise of the question. There is not a single act we can do that is completely without sin, so therefore there is no completely selfless act. There are degrees of course, and you can do something that is 99% selfless and 1% because it makes you feel better about yourself...
Good question, thanks.
2007-02-01 17:52:20 · answer #1 · answered by Last Ent Wife (RCIA) 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think if you peel back enough layers, we have only two distinct motivations: for the glory of God, or for some kind of personal gain or reward, either material or spiritual. If your motivation is purely the first one, it is purely unselfish and you "receive" the second as a byproduct. If your motivation is the highest expression of the second, you are probably creeping closer towards the ideal selflessness of the first.
2007-02-01 17:58:11 · answer #2 · answered by and_y_knot 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe that we do do things out of kindness. For example, just about everyone would want to help a small child who was lost (e.g. in a shopping center). A cynic might say that we would help the kid bc it makes us feel good. Well, so what? If helping ppl makes one feel good, then that's just fine.
If someone did something nice for me, I'd just say thank you. And not try to see something evil in it.
2007-02-01 17:54:06 · answer #3 · answered by Santa C 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't buy it either. In fact I've never heard of that theory.
I think that it is in people's nature to want to do good for others. Sometimes we dont' for selfish reasons, but mostly we try to help others when we can.
2007-02-01 17:50:51 · answer #4 · answered by Bewitched 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, the person who made this premise a theory did it out of kindness...
2007-02-01 17:59:53 · answer #5 · answered by Marcus R. 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
that would be a very sad and cynical picture of humanity. it's too extremely unfair, it cant be true. its like saying love doesnt exist at all. life would be so cold and lonely if one is to believe in that theory
2007-02-01 18:49:21 · answer #6 · answered by listlessbutdiligent 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i dont buy it, i will go out of my way to help people even if i get nothing out of it, but then again im a nice guy like that. some people are just in it for themselves though.
2007-02-01 17:50:31 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's kind of circuitous reasoning, isn't it, to say we're being altruistic for selfish reasons; that we put others' needs before our own out of selfish desire to be appreciated, thanked, rewarded.
2007-02-01 17:58:15 · answer #8 · answered by Zeera 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it depends on the intention of your actions.. if your intention is to help or share to others that's selflessness but if you intention ir purely for yourself only.. that's when you are selfish..
2007-02-01 17:52:57 · answer #9 · answered by anette 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Not too swift.
Many people do good stuff and remain Anonymous on purpose.
2007-02-01 17:53:53 · answer #10 · answered by whynotaskdon 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋