Why is it that people these days are becoming more and more self-centered?

Question

any kind of answers are good

Answer 1

My humble opinion is that it is a case of not believing in absolute right and wrong any more.(Given from a source outside ourselves).Since the advent of post modern thinking people everywhere have been told that you must rely on yourself to find out what is right or wrong.In the process humans have lost that "oughtness".That thing we collectively know to be right.This has slowly degenerated in a more self centered society.

Answer 2

People have always been self-centered, although this natural phenomenon has probably been exacerberated of late by technology, which has freed humans up for things other than moil and toil.

No longer are we doomed to a life plowing fields. And, by virtue of a generous and humane government as will as numerous other notable individuals, we have garnered the 9-to-5 workday.

Of course, these boons have not been gained without cause to mourn.

Witness the indolent adolescent, languishing before his personal TV whilst listening to his iPod and with naught but one thought on his mind - when he might be granted leave of the house to go carousing with his like-minded friends. Witness, also, the avaricious adult who, once home from work, directs her restless eyes to some Internet get-rich-quick scheme.

The only guard we have against such human follies is the cultivation of our own viligance and consideration for our fellow humans. Thus, I conclude this treatise.

Answer 3

I think humankind is innately selfish. We have potential for altruism and love, and in arguably equal measure, the potential for fear and hate. The change is largely based on societal conventions changing. Swearing has become so much more acceptable in the previous few decades; 30 years ago, a show could have been taken off the air for saying "damn" or "hell". In other words, people are just allowed to be selfish more openly now, so many of them are.

At least, that's what I believe, but I can't say without knowing the full situation. Everyone has a story, a reason. Consider why the people you're thinking of are being selfish, and maybe put yourself in their position. Can you see why they'd do it?

Answer 4

Yes, of course it is true. In my view, what is happening is that with life becoming more and more fast as well as competitive, there is neither time nor inclination to think of others. There is also this feeling that if I did not take care of myself, who will?

The fallacy here is..... we are not realizing that thinking and caring for others is very much in our own interest... it gives us a feeling that is so sublime that it can never be replaced or matched by any self-serving act. By being self-centered, we are actually forfeiting a great quality aspect of our own life!!

Answer 5

in the beginning, when man discovered fire it was a "hallelujah" moment. Why? It was a discovery that was desperately needed so it was not taken for granted. Today, at the peak of technology, we humans take everything for granted. Cars, cell phones, ipods...we *think* that these things are neccesities when they're not...we *think* that everyone has them when not everyone is so fortunate enough to afford them. We take all of the things in our life for granted and begin to form a mentality of "I need this and that" when we really don't. This leads us to become very self-centered only thinking of what we want. At least, that's my opinion.

Answer 6

Because we're getting more enlightened. I agree that in the past, people were more likely to die for a 'noble cause'--and also were more exploited. Peasants were more likely to give up all hope of earthly pleasure for a vague promise of Pie in the Sky, and men were less reluctant to march off to battlefields to be slaughtered for God and Country. People slowly realized that their 'noble' sacrifices did nothing to help their fellow man or to glorify God, but merely to help the ruling class gain more wealth and power. The whole idea behind modern democracy is that individuals have inalienable rights and freedoms.

Answer 7

This is something that has happened because parents are not teaching their children the basics of giving and receiving.
I was brought up in a large family 10 kids, we learned to share, listen and take care of each other. We weren't cuddled and every hurt wasn't taken away. Once a week we had to do something nice for some one. It taught us that we are not alone here, and if you see something that needs to done do it. We learned from our parents example about random acts of kindness. My Dad knew of poor and hurting families in our neighborhood, and always made sure he drop off Turkeys on holidays, without letting them know who it was from. My brothers still carry this on. Kindness, and giving is learned from our parents examples. Both my parents were very giving people and raised 10 people who are active and still carrying on what they were taught.

Answer 8

For many people it is hard to put themselves into other peoples shoes. (Internally) This but results in a huge amount of communication problems, and in order for people to avoid to be hurt they think they need to be more selfish, so to look only on their own needs to be more happy in life.
This but again leads to unhappiness as then people will not help each other but work against each other . It is indeed in my view often based on a great sense of helplessness and not knowing how to do it differently. The inability to be sensitive and open to another persons world, to touch and to feel the other persons unique personality, is for many people hard to achieve.
The media also wants to influence people on how they are supposed to be. Many people are actually not truly centered in themselves any more and this often leads to a loss of connection to their inner strengths. This then can lead to selfishness as people have no sense for what they truly want in their life but replace it with some outside doctrine which they adopt from magazines or the media for example. Due to the disconnection to their heart or conscience they automatically disconnect from other peoples hearts and souls.

Answer 9

Personaly I think it is due to the breakdown of the family
People no longer care about each other as they do not have good relationships within their families and hence they have real difficulties having them outside their families

I also think it is a reflection of trying to fill the God gap with anything but God.

Answer 10

Because, as humans, we learn by example. We see everyone else begin to act that way. So we pick it up.