When was the last time you did something truly altruistic?

Question

(just posted this in psychology, reposting here)

When was the last time you did something that benefited others, while knowingly causing you more pain than pleasure? In other words, what was the last thing you did that was truly self-sacrificial?

Keep in mind that the following do not count as altruistic actions:

1) Helping someone else because it helps you (obviously)

2) Helping someone else that may have harmed you, but brought you recognition for your actions (sometimes, people do good things for others, but only because they want to be seen as a good person)

3) Helping someone else because it made you feel good about yourself (sometimes we help others out of guilt, or the fear of feeling like a bad person; these may seem like altruistic actions, but you still benefit in the long run, so they are not truly self-sacrificial)

So when was the last time you hurt yourself to help others, and didn't do it for any selfish reason? Or is such an act even possible?

You can approach this however you want; I've heard arguments both for and against the existence of altruistic actions in terms of psychology, philosophy, biology, etc.

Or you can just list some of the things you've done to help others.

Answer 1

Never - altruism is always annuled in the exchange.

Answer 2

Altruistic ....can be dangerous to your health .Long ago .... it was winter and snow every were , this woman in her car parked in a small incline facing a large snow bank accumulated by snow plows in a parking lot , she was spinning her wheels to back up and couldn't move the car , I saw her problem and jumped between the front of her car and the snow bank to give her a push so she could back up , and just as I was going to help her for some reason she shifted her car in forward , and guess what happened ... I was pined at my knees between the bumper and the snow bank , it hurt like hell , she then put it in reverse and with my help pushed her out and she left .... I gained nothing , did not expect anything and I almost wrecked my knees ...so the saying " No good deed ever goes unpunished " it has come into true many times , now I am very careful how and when I will help ....

Answer 3

How have I ever helped others?

I teach classes on public speaking at Toastmasters clubs to help people gain confidence in themselves. If I get anything out of this - I'm not paid - it's the satisfaction of seeing people mature and move forward in their lives.

I've volunteered for 25 plus years on a credit union board of directors. No pay here but there is satisfaction in knowing that many people are being helped by a not-for-profit organization that I help guide.

I've frequently picked out a loner diner in a restaurant and anonymously paid their bill. I like the mystery of it.

I volunteer at a museum, preserving history for folks who will never know I was involved or what it takes to save the past for the future. I put in a lot of hours behind the scenes. I do not need the recognition; I had that when I was President of the historical society for 5 years.

I participate in UGN Day of Caring events; cancer walks; conservancy efforts.

Obviously I'm retired. Anyone who isn't can look forward to the day when they can give back to society in more meaningful ways than just writing a check. Giving of your time and energy is more satisfying.

Answer 4

True altruism is a fiction. Most people won't face the reality that all their good deeds are done for themselves because that realization would destroy the good feeling that was their reward for doing the good deeds.

If the good deed were done for others, then the money we donate to charity would be donated in accordance with the good it would do. But the reality is that we donate money in accordance with feelings of sympathy and empathy. Here is a study that proves what I just said:
http://www.economist.com/science/PrinterFriendly.cfm?story_id=8023307

Here is one line from the study:
"But when it comes to anonymous benevolence, directed to causes that, unlike people, can give nothing in return, what could motivate a donor? The answer, according to neuroscience, is that it feels good."

All of our altruism is just a shot of feel-good drug to the brain.

Answer 5

I've ponderded this question and come to the conclusion that there are no truly altruistic acts. Even if one anonymously commits an act of charity, the good feeling that comes from that is at least partially self serving. That doesn't mean we shouldn't commit anonymous acts of charity though.

Answer 6

Every day near the end of my lunch hour I buy a candy bar from Walgreens for 69 cents. I often give the "homeless" guy who sits in front of Wagreens the 31 cents that's left over. I know its not much but I do it almost every day.

Answer 7

Tomorrow...if you know what I mean.