Comments on Want to be a free thinker but still a nice person: Selfishness v. selflessness

All love is self directed. Maharishi Mahesh Yogi

2008-05-02T05:56:00.000-07:00

All love is self directed.

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi

Oops, I didn't write that, was putting in a commen...

2008-04-30T10:38:00.000-07:00

Oops, I didn't write that, was putting in a comment for my husband.

Both arguments are correct - it depends on which w...

2008-04-30T10:37:00.000-07:00

Both arguments are correct - it depends on which way you look at it.

From a motivational standpoint, by definition it's impossible to act in an unselfish way. Even sacrificing yourself can be looked on as selfish if the actor would rather others survive than himself. The problem (if it is
such) with this approach is in it's limited usefulness - if all actions are selfish, the concept of selfishness/selflessness is of little value.

If you forget the internal workings of the individual's mind, you can look at who appears to benefit from the action. The problem then becomes the
criteria by which you judge who benefits. You can only use this method if you discount any spiritual satisfaction the actor may gain, or attach to it
a lower weighting than benefits to others. But what you're measuring here is how "good" a person is rather than if they're "selfish".

Oh, dear, ANONYMOUS, that rather touches a nerve, ...

2008-04-30T06:59:00.000-07:00

Oh, dear, ANONYMOUS, that rather touches a nerve, as I'm also one of those with time to spend discussing nice points of semantics (or not-so-nice ones!)

Being a ruthless little Machiavellian from birth, I'd agree that we're all selfish creatures, instinctively (this would exclude the saints, but the whole reason they're saints is that they were mystically devoid of normal human instincts to grab the goodies all for themselves.) But selfish people (the rest of humanity) can still do unselfish things, for altruistic reasons.

Real, subtle selfishness is an art form---the secret is to APPEAR to be doing a selfless, generous act, while accomplishing one's own ends. An example would be: say three friends are dining out, and after a chatty meal, it is decided to order and spilt a decadent gooey giant chocolate dessert. One of the group earnestly begs the others to split it, taking only a small bite or two herself (need I even specify that we're talking about women?:):) In theory, she has been "unselfish" by declining to nab her rightful 1/3 of the dessert, but in reality she's been selfish, because she knows perfectly well that her dainty pecking makes her look more ascetic and refined, and the wolfing of the dessert will make her two friends fatter. She loves her friends, but she also wants to make sure they stay 5-10 pounds heavier than she is.

There! First chapter of "Advanced Selfishness for Dummies.":):)

I HATE TO SAY THIS, AND LOOK A SIMPLETON (MY TRUE ...

2008-04-30T01:49:00.000-07:00

I HATE TO SAY THIS, AND LOOK A SIMPLETON (MY TRUE COLOURS) BUT THESE PEOPLE HAVE WAY TOO MUCH TIME ON THEIR HANDS!!