This assumes that "selfish" is bad, wrong, not good, etc.
2007-06-30 14:47:13 · 24 answers · asked by guru 7 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
I will give away guilt, AND the thought of this question mocking me the next time I feel the urge to do something selfless.
2007-06-30 15:30:03 · answer #1 · answered by someone 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It really depends on whose eyes your trying to avoid being selfish. The only person who can truly label me as selfish is myself. Others can impose their views on my and believe me to be selfish but this doesn't make it so until I internalise their opinions.
To avoid being selfish in my own eyes (or in Gods eyes for a religious point of view) I would probably give almost anything, perhaps even my life if I needed to. I think I would feel selfish if I saw an innocent person killed in a situation that I may have been able to intervene, even if this cost me my life.
Truly though it is the heart of the person that makes them selfish or not. If someone only does things to show off then they are obviously selfish (but it's not always obvious that these people are doing things to show off) but if those same people gave because they wanted nothing in return then they are obviously not selfish.
Try The Book of Mark 12:41-44 for an example of one who gave little and was generous and many who gave much but was selfish and greedy.
2007-07-01 09:47:54 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Being selfish isn't totally a bad thing. In order to care for those that depend on us, we need to take care of ourselves in a way that would benefit others. For example, I gained custody of my grandson a little over a year ago. At the time, I was considerably overweight. Gaining custody of a baby boy gave me the motivation to do what I felt I needed to do in order to provide the kind of life he deserves; that took some "selfishness" on my part. I invested in a program that helped me loose the weight and gain more control in that area of my life, hopefully to better his!
Selfishness is a problem when that person surrounds him/herself with things that only they can benefit from, not making the effort to reach out of their own little world to involve themselves in issues that would make a difference in individuals lives.
In answer to your original question, I have and do give away my time and energy to those ideas/issues that can and will change peoples lives...my answer is "my time".
2007-06-30 23:42:37 · answer #3 · answered by wittylaughingwoman 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that the perception that being selfish is a bad thing is a false premise. One need only look to Objectivist teachings and see that the invisible hand of benevolence general follows most actions that would otherwise be labeled as "selfish". The only thing I general give people is an opinion.
2007-06-30 21:52:24 · answer #4 · answered by Richie D 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I have been giving everything (material and otherwise like time,attention etc.etc--list is endless) away to avoid being 'selfish' and ended up being a 'super fool' because this world respects only material gains and spiritual gains don't pay here, for them, one has to wait to be transferred to the heavens- so till that time, I am the SUPER FOOL, after that DOES ANYONE REALLY KNOW?
2007-07-01 04:37:14 · answer #5 · answered by mutch 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Start with getting rid of that act, trying to be "self-less" !
"Trying to be self-less".... even that is a selfish act !
Just try to see what is needed in the situation, and do to the best of abilities (that is all a person can ever do)... the "self "would become the priority ONLY if the situation warrants. That way, our very way of being merges with the situation, and we are free from selfish and selfless ... both !
2007-06-30 23:40:42 · answer #6 · answered by Spiritualseeker 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'll give nothing away to avoid being selfish. If I give something away I'll do it because I wish to give it away, or because I percieve a greater need for it than mine.
Giving to avoid [being percieved as] [percieving one's self as] selfish is a misleading motive. It's an insult to the reciever and destructive to the honesty of the giver.
2007-06-30 22:09:52 · answer #7 · answered by Jack P 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If I gave away something to not be selfish, that would still be a selfish action.
2007-06-30 22:37:00 · answer #8 · answered by The Witten 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Everyone is selfish. Even good deeds are selfish - donating money to the poor makes you feel good therefore is not selfless.
2007-06-30 21:55:02 · answer #9 · answered by Aidan Connor 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
being selfish isnt always bad but most of the time it isnt good. and you dont have to give anything away u just have to give more than you take and not for self satisfaction, for others.
2007-06-30 22:31:20 · answer #10 · answered by danielle m 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋