I contend that every action is selfish in some way.
2007-02-08 02:47:31 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Social Science ➔ Sociology
The dofferemce between +selfishness & -selfishness. Is +selfishness, I believe has 2 do with self love ( some may view that this is -selfishness, but its not) U have 2 have boundaries n order to b an individual & 2 survive, & not a door mat! bad selfishness is when u want others 2 caters 2 your needs, & not b themselves, not b able to express good selfishness toward themselves.
2007-02-08 05:33:21 · answer #1 · answered by jjewelzs 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There's nothing wrong with being selfish, every action we take is selfish if it brings some sort of pleasure to ourselves. Even giving to the poor. I give to help people, and to see the look of gratitude on their faces, and this brings me extreme happiness. Therefore in a way, you could say that I did it to please myself. I wouldn't do it if it didn't bring me pleasure.This is good selfishness. I beleive bad selfishness is when you take without consideration of the harm it will do to others. And of course, you do have those completely selfless acts when someone does something they absolutely do not want to do because they know it will make someone else happy. But then I ask what was their motive then? It must be to see the other person happy, so to some degree this must bring them some kind of pleasure. So in actuality, ALL acts are selfish acts.
2007-02-08 15:44:16 · answer #2 · answered by Lindsey H 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I often muse about selfish versus selfless and the fact that one of loves qualities is selflessness. I hope I can express this coherently. Self means ones basic nature. Ish might translate to like or similar to (reddish, prudish etc). Less is minus. Literally speaking, selfish would be aptly translated as similar to ones basic nature (treating others as you want to be treated springs to mind) while selfless would mean minus ones basic nature (lost and confused perhaps!?!). I truly believe that one can not give what one does not have and therefor selflessness is a no go zone. Selfish (which I believe you equate to good selfishness) on the other hand is actually positive but being self-centered (bad selfishness) is not healthy. Yes, every action is selfish and rightly so because our sole purpose in doing the right thing is to appease our conscience and the bonus is the joy it brings those around us and ultimately...US. Lets all be our self...ish.
2007-02-08 17:36:41 · answer #3 · answered by kahahius 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think being selfish enough to take care of yourself physically and emotionally is good and very important. Bad selfishness is when you have something that the other person is in need of but you won't help them because you are too selfish to share with others in need. Also, when you always put yourself and your wants first, that can be bad.
2007-02-10 13:24:17 · answer #4 · answered by vanhammer 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree with you that every action could be perceived as selfish. It is really a matter of perspective.
If your selfishness has no affect to others, then you could say you are being "good" to yourself.
Take the same exact act, but include others...know you are a bad person for not thinking of others.
What did you do differently? Nothing...just others who were affected think you are bad.
2007-02-08 15:04:25 · answer #5 · answered by Gaga Warlock 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My personal definition of 'good selfishness' is having the common sense to know when you need to take care of yourself. If you cannot put some of your needs as a priority from time to time, you will inevitably deplete yourself. Once you deplete yourself you cannot fulfill the needs of others. It's about balance.
As cheesey as that saying is...I think it's valid. If you don't take care of yourself, you won't be able to take care of anyone else.
2007-02-08 14:40:05 · answer #6 · answered by Shelly 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋