Please answer.?

Question

Is there such thing as a selfish action?



P.S. Many people are puzzled by this question

Answer 1

ALL actions are selfish. even when you do something good for someone, it is because you want a reward either for this life or the next.
peace

Answer 2

the confusion is the result of linguistic difficulties. the answer is that words like selfish and desire have multiple meanings, but in just about any meaning i can think of at least SOME people are selfish.

another question could be if all actions are selfish. I think the answer to that is either no, or yes in a trivial way. I really think how we answer matters at all as long as we can differentiate different types of actions

If one says that actions are selfish when they satisfy some desire then yeah it's true, for an action someone does is obviously something they wanted to do (or the best one given the options available). But notice that even if all actions are selfish we can still differentiate between self-centered people and nicer people. the self-centered persons wants are wants that are geared to improve their situation only whereas the non-self centered person has wants that involves caring for other people. so yeah, they're both selfish trivially in that they both do what they want to do, but the 'content' of their wants is sufficient to differentiate them.

so yeah, all people are selfish trivially
some people are also the kind of people we call self-centered and 'selfish' in the colloqual everyday sense.

My main point is that the usual debate is just a bunch of hot air. however you define the terms and whether you say no one, all people, or some people are selfish, one can still differentiate between different types of people in either case.

Answer 3

A truly selfish action is one that is performed soley for the benefit of the actor-and that is something the actor knows, whether they deny it or not.

The action in itself is not selfish-the intention behind the action is what determines the selfishness...

For example- the earth rotates around the sun....perhaps the earth is in love with the sun, and so rotates around it so that it can worship in its full glory. But lets just say the earth and the sun are just objects (that should be taken care of because they both sustain our life)-then the earths action is the rotation around the sun. An object can not act selfishly.

But a person almost always acts selfishly because of the intention for the action. For example, you are nicer to certain people because you like them in your life. Or you go to work because it gives you money and you can eat. Or you give food to a homeless man because it makes you feel good.

The most selfish actions are those that are done without a thought to the effects of that action...which become less selfish and more selfless when a person takes those effects into account and makes a decision based on thought and consideration of those involved and effected.

Answer 4

All human actions have an element of selfishness involved. There is no such thing as an altruistic act.

For you to even do something that some might consider altruistic you must first hold the perspective of self and other. The self, placing value in assisting others in whatever way is still giving into the value of self.

Answer 5

Hi!!!

I don't see why there will be people puzzled by this question??
Of course there is such thing!!!

This is an everyday practice!!! Sad to say. It started with Satan, by disobedience. He is selfish. As what he wants is GOD'S power.
That has being the truly most selfish action EVER!!!

Since the beginnings of life we are selfish.
1- A child that cries, because wants to be held by someone.

2- Wife or husband who wants to live their life's like if they are still single.

3- Brothers and sisters, not sharing; toys, food, clothes, time.

4- People in the community, having good opportunities, keeping them to themselves, instead of letting others, in it too.

5- Parents Not counting with their children for important decisions, that could affect their children's life's.

Constantly, in an everyday bases, this is practice by people all around the world. From a new born, to the ones with the most power in the government.

And it will continue, until the end of times!!!!

GOD BLESS YOU & HAPPY LIFE

A.Z.

Answer 6

All action is neither selfish or non-selfish. It is not in the action that selfishness comes to the fore. It is inside man's heart that controls it.

I am not puzzled...I am a giver. I do not enjoy being given to....I say , Thank you....but, as a giver I am NOT looking for repay. It is inside me to give and that is all I know. Some people do give for that plaque on the wall or for bragging rights. Some do / some don't.

Answer 7

There has to be self discipline to be able to get away from selfish actions, but if not able to, then yes most actions are selfish because the nature of the person is selfish.

Answer 8

I agree with that one post - all actions are selfish. If I choose chocolate from a vending machine, it is selfish because it's concerned only with the self.

If I buy from that vending machine chocolate to give to someone who wants/needs it, that too is selfish because I want that person to like me/leave me alone/think I'm great.

Answer 9

I am truly puzzled... what kind of fish is selfish (and not shell fish).... is it human... actions are events and when they are caused intentionally by human beings whether individually or collectively, they are intrinsically self oriented. Inadvertent or accidental actions can't be self oriented.

Answer 10

When you start with the word "I" you can almost bet the explanation afterwards when looked at closely would be selfish.
Or the "what about me syndrome"...what about me don't I count?