[DemolitionRed]

I can't think of an example of 'true altruism' but would be interested to know what other people think.

[Kizzy]

Well if the person being altruistic was to speculate about it it would cease to be an altruistic act wouldn't it?...

[DemolitionRed]

Originally Posted by Kizzy

Well if the person being altruistic was to speculate about it it would cease to be an altruistic act wouldn't it?...

exactly!

[JoshBB]

personally i feel like i always consider the emotions and effects my actions will have on other people,

but is that not selfish because my motivations for doing so are 'not wanting to see other people hurt'?

[Kizzy]

Doesn't mean it doesn't happen though... It's like 'do bears **** in the woods?' You don't see it but you know it happens

[Niamh.]

What about anyone who goes to help Ebola cases, that's surely selfless?

[Kizzy]

I'd say that's more of a vocation, if you're in the caring profession you might do that, I thought altruistic acts were done anonymously?

[Niamh.]

If it was anonymous how could anyone ever prove it exists? Is it not just a selfless act then?

[Mokka]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

If it was anonymous how could anyone ever prove it exists? Is it not just a selfless act then?

It doesn't have to be anonymous, just self-less which also means not self serving. Not getting paid, and not seeking recognition.

Mother Therasa anyone?

Also I have met many people who are, but If I named them, you wouldn't be able to identify them because the have never come into notoriety for their deeds

[Niamh.]

Well I for one think anyone from this part of the world who goes to Liberia to help fight Ebola is selfless

[Kizzy]

No not Mother Theresa, she was a nun it's sort of expected for them to be nice

[Niamh.]

Such a cynic Kizzy

[Kizzy]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

Such a cynic Kizzy

Not really niamh :/

[Samuel.]

I've somehow never come across the word altruism, is it the same as selflessness?

Because I don't think there's any such thing as a truly selfless act. What you're giving away or risking in turn makes you happy or gives you satisfation, and it's those positive emotional benefits that fuel anything that could be considered selfless. Thus it's always ultimately done with self-interest. Some people just happen to value those emotional benefits more than whatever is being sacrificed.

[Mokka]

Originally Posted by Kizzy

No not Mother Theresa, she was a nun it's sort of expected for them to be nice

And yet she went above and beyond what any other nun would do... And at first without the support of here church.

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by Kizzy

Not really niamh :/

ok

[Kizzy]

Originally Posted by Mokkajava

And yet she went above and beyond what any other nun would do... And at first without the support of here church.

She became a nun to devote her life to god and being selfless is part of the job description to me is all.

[Kizzy]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

ok

[Kyle]

Originally Posted by Kizzy

She became a nun to devote her life to god and being selfless is part of the job description to me is all.

She wants a deeper relationship with the big man.

SELFISH

she's out.

Next..

[Niamh.]

oh one time I saved a kitten from getting munched on by a dog, that was pretty selfless cos I was scared and no one knew or cared that I never got mangled by that dog

[kirklancaster]

Originally Posted by Mokkajava

It doesn't have to be anonymous, just self-less which also means not self serving. Not getting paid, and not seeking recognition.

Mother Therasa anyone?

Also I have met many people who are, but If I named them, you wouldn't be able to identify them because the have never come into notoriety for their deeds

I agree Mokka - If Mother Theresa wasn't altruistic then who was?

[GypsyGoth]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

oh one time I saved a kitten from getting munched on by a dog, that was pretty selfless cos I was scared and no one knew or cared that I never got mangled by that dog

But now you're using it to help your side in this debate, thus making it no longer an altruistic act.

[kirklancaster]

Mother Theresa. Oskar Schindler. Violette Szabo.

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by GypsyGoth

But now you're using it to help your side in this debate, thus making it no longer an altruistic act.

I typed out a long response to that and then I changed my mind This is obviously unprovable and I shall get my fame by saving that kitten next week under the "people who saved a kittens life" instead

[Kyle]

Ellen Ripley risked her own life to go back and save the little girl Newt.

Checkmate Demolition Red.