Pursuit of knowledge is a self enhancing activity... isn't it rather selfish in that sense? Why not?

Answer 1

Self-enhancing isn't selfish. Self-love is different from selfishness. There are many things that you may do independently (writing, reading, creating art or music,etc). You are not required to be with others 24 hours a day. Some people (particularly women) feel guilty for taking time out to nurture themselves. They feel like they must always do things for others (their kids, spouses, family, friends). They often put themselves last. The silly thing is that if you don't put yourself first, if you don't take care of yourself physically & emotionally then you end up depleted without anything of value to give anyone else. Never feel guilty for doing things for you.

Selfishness is at the expense of others. It means that you only do things for you & never make any time or effort for anyone else. That means ignoring family & friends, brushing them off, doing nothing for them. We are social creatures. The relationships you have with others must be nurtured. Selfish would be if you won the lottery & spent money on expensive toys, houses, cars, jewelry & didn't give anything to any family members who are struggling financially. If you didn't care about anyone but yourself.

It's important to love yourself, develop your self-esteem & enhance your well-being because when you do this, you radiate a positive energy that makes you want to share that joy & love with others. If each person loved him/herself the world would be a better place. & here's the ironic thing, truly selfish people actually don't like themselves! It seems like they only focus on themselves but it's a negative focus. They hate themselves & feel empty therefore they have to fill that void with too much sex, food, expensive toys etc & they still never feel any better. Because they have no love for themselves they have none to give anyone else either. They always want more & are never satisfied because they feel a void that can never be filled.

The pursuit of knowledge is a noble activity. It is not selfish. Anyone who achieved greatness might have been called selfish. Anyone who was passionate & followed their dreams could be seen as selfish by people who didn't understand. You have to be who you are. Be true to yourself & live with passion. Nurture yourself so you are strong enough to nurture others & the world as a whole.

Answer 2

It depends on the knowledge you are pursuing....

If you are gaining knowledge to excell in your career as a doctor, teacher, care-giver.. then it isn't selfish at all. Learning makes you better at your profession and gives you more tools to help the people you are helping.

If you are just learning facts and ideas that are not integrated into any 'real' purpose in this world, then yes, perhaps you are just being selfish. But if you are going to fill that time with mindless recreation anyway, I don't see the harm. Of course if it replaces activities that you could be doing to serve your fellow man, then there is harm.

I guess it is true that any knowledge increases the connections in your brain, so even trival learning may have some unexpected benefit of which we are unaware.

Basically, learning is a good thing, and using learning to help someone (other than your own brain development) is even better.

Answer 3

Yes, a little, because it is saying to learn on your own but it is better not to. Being involved with other people and not afraid to ask questions is the pursuit of knowledge but your not only conjuring answers from within which is not a selfish thing. If the only way to learn is to get it on your own from within and reading, it is a selfish thing. Most important thing I'd like to share is once knowledge is in possession, let it go and share. Otherwise, not telling anybody is also being selfish.

Answer 4

Not really if the knowledge you obtain by careful study can benefit mankind in some way. Doing good things for yourself is never selfish as who else is going to get this knowledge for you? I study and read voraciously and feel so much the better for it. That doesn't mean I can't have a balanced life either it is all in how you wish to spend your time.

Answer 5

How can it be selfish when you want to enchance yourself through knowledge? Knowledge is the key to most fear in human's life. In pursuit of knowledge men has been free of bondage from ignorancy and has attain remarkable turn over in technology. It can never be a selfish act when it can help humanity.

Answer 6

No, knowledge is great and you can never learn too much. If someone wants to learn they are not being selfish lol. There trying to be something in this world. Although to much knowledge can lead someone to be selfish, it can get to their head. Knowledge is good it just depends what people make out of it.

Answer 7

the word selfish has been given a negative meaning,,,,,, being selfish is not always bad,,,,, enhancing ones self is a good thing, and most often,, no act is totally selfish,,,,,, if you improve yourself,,,,, you are then a better person,,,,, and have more to offer to the world,,,,,, so the selfish (concerned with self) act has benefit to others

Answer 8

Absolutely not.
The more educated you are the more your ability to help others is enhanced.
Everybody needs some help or guidance. I don't want mine from somebody so selfish they think they don't need to improve.
Also the more educated you are, the more money you're likely to make. That translates into being better able to provide for your family, being able to make more environmentally conscious choices in your purchases.
So no. While it is self enhancing, it is only selfish if you choose not to share it or not use it to improve things for yourself and others.

Answer 9

I suppose it can be selfish. It would depend on how that knowledge is used.

A teacher shares the knowledge learned. So do doctors, lawyers, naturalists and docents, etc.

Answer 10

specific. i recognize three insecure people who sense the international revolves around them, they desire all the attention they are in a position to probable have. They act and seem insecure, and that's incredibly egocentric and thoughtless of others. i've got frolicked and attempt nurturing a number of my friends, assisting them out. they're dropping my time, and don't in any respect think of roughly my thoughts. that's often them and how they sense. It pisses me off. Insecure people i recognize contain egocentric.