Og

I am NOT pessimistic. I'm am very optimistic about life and have much wonder at the glory of the universe. I just happen to be teaching in a physiology lab course this term and you can see the motivations of all things in the world. They do what is pleasurable. The more complex they get (like us), the more complex their behaviors. They consider future consequences and think about how they would feel if they did or did not do an action. And then behave accordingly such that they can live with themselves.

And if it isn't about pride or social duty derived pleasure, then why do these acts occur?

I still hold that altruism is a null word. Human beings are inherently selfish. The entire ideas of behaving morally for eternal afterlife rewards in heaven is the quintessential human religious motivator.

I'm not pessimistic. I just like to wallow in reality instead of delusion :P

__________________
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The self is not a fixed entity but a dynamic process of relationships
You & I, no distinction. - Tat Tvam Asi
Become Who You Are

Fire Legion

I used to agree with you, but now I don't. Here's why:

Hedonism is gaining pleasure through doing good things for you. Altuirism is pleasure through doing good things for others.

Feeling pleasure through actions caused directly or indirectly by you is thus not hedonism.

jaej

Yes, but when one does good things for others, pleasure isn't merely a byproduct of those actions. Pleasure is the initial intention. I agree with Og.

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Og

This would be my point exactly I don't think you really disagree with me FL.

__________________
Vi veri veniversum vivus vici. (By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe)
The self is not a fixed entity but a dynamic process of relationships
You & I, no distinction. - Tat Tvam Asi
Become Who You Are

Fire Legion

They're both ways to get yourself pleasure. It's just how you get yourself pleasure which is different.

Og

The point of hedonism is that you act in order to get pleasure. It doesn't necessarily address how you get that pleasure.

The point is that everyone's motivations are selfish. This is why I said altruism was just self interest under the guise of charity or vice versa. All behavior is selfish behavior.

I don't say that all behavior is towards survival of the individual. I'm just saying that every choice that people make optimizes their pleasure in the way they define it. Selfish nature of humans.

__________________
Vi veri veniversum vivus vici. (By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe)
The self is not a fixed entity but a dynamic process of relationships
You & I, no distinction. - Tat Tvam Asi
Become Who You Are

}SoC{Sumguy

well, in that case, let us all selfishly help one another.

__________________
"And now you've seen his face,
and you know that there's a place
in the sun, for all that you've done.
For you and your children.
You always wanted to beleive.
Just ask and you'll receive,
beyond your wildest dreams.
And you already know how this will end...."

Og

Amen to that. I enjoy me some altruism too. I like working for my hands and helping other people.

It's just important to realize motivations in your behaviors. People can get dangerously violent when they have this unstable notion that their happiness lies in other people's actions and not in their own existence.

Self interest is the reality. Realize it, then act. Self observation: Key to an enlightened life.

__________________
Vi veri veniversum vivus vici. (By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe)
The self is not a fixed entity but a dynamic process of relationships
You & I, no distinction. - Tat Tvam Asi
Become Who You Are

redcliff

I knew a girl that did the same thing, but it wasn't altruistic - she charged
50$ for that.

MartheGod

Altruism is quite possibly the least selfish thing on the face of the earth. Risking your own life for the life of another is the most unselfish thing anyone can do. This is why it is still being studied. You wonder why these acts occur? Well, so does everyone else. This goes to show you that while humans can be selfish beings, they can also be caring individuals. So PLEASE quit trying to show that altruism occurs because people are selfish. What rewards to you get when you are dead and someone else is alive? None. Thanks.

Og, do you even know what altruism is? Because you keep talking about volunteering and stuff. I like volunteering too, but volunteering cannot be compared to altrusim. Please check that word out in the dictionary.