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If one uses this definition, then 'selfless' deeds are possible and selfish is 'bad'.
If you meant altruism , that's a different discussion.
I didn’t mean anything except the definition of the word “selfish.” Selfless acts are possible. Selfish may be “bad.” Or not. Depending on how subjectively one defines “bad,” apparently.
Added: and that is a different discussion as well.
If you do something without considering it, on instinct, than yes, you can do a selfless good deed. Even if you do good deeds because it makes you feel good, at least you did it.
It's an interesting question I've thought about too. We have two long-term renters at our condo complex, who daily are out on the beach picking up trash or washed-up vegetation. They have no vested interest in our complex, but when asked, said they "enjoyed doing it". It's a win-win!
Why do something if you don't benefit from it somehow. It seems Everything we do in life revolves around us benefiting from it. Going to work, hanging out with friends, having a pet, etc.
Why shouldn't I also look at doing good deeds the same way I look at everything else in my life? If it doesn't give me pleasure or happiness or any good feeling in some way why do it?
Maybe I'm a bit more selfish then alot of people on this thread who do good without thinking or without thinking about how they may benefit from it. I just want to know why people act this way and why should I.
Because there are people who aren't selfish and who don't think about everything in terms of self. You start off with the wrong definition that everything has to be about the self in terms of either bringing you pleasure or pain or good feeling or bad feeling. Not everything is about the self and no amount of over philosophizing will change that. All over philosophizing does is confuse yourself.
It’s an interesting question. I think that all animals, humans included, do things because we want positive reinforcement. A bobcat hunts because she doesn’t want to continue to be hungry. My dog sits next to the dinner table because he’s hoping someone will slip him a bite of chicken. I post a pic on social media because it feels good to read, “good shot!” and to see the likes.
So yes, I think that most good deeds are done because it feels good to help others.
I don’t see it as a problem. We are people, not robots, so feelings are inherent to everything we do. Either way, the homeless person gets fed, the litter gets picked up, etc. feeling good about it is a natural and necessary side benefit.
If someone sees a boy drowning and they immediately and instinctively try to rescue him without having any thoughts is this a selfless good deed?.
I'm not sure that's how it works ....
I don't actually think anyone jumps into water to rescue someone "instinctively" or "without having any thoughts". There is a built in safety feature of our Fight or Flight response; that we do NOT react "instinctively" to danger.
To an observer, it might appear as though somebody reacted without thinking. The "reactor" however, experiences something quite different:
The thought process that would take 3 or 4 seconds normally, can take place in a fraction of a second. There is an odd sense of "time standing still", then everything seems to be going in slow-motion. In one second; you are capable of weighing your odds & making a decision.
I'm thinking that in this hypothetical situation; a person with strong swimming skills attempting a rescue would be more selfless than a person with just adequate swimming skills. Why?
Because experienced, trained swimmers are more likely to have a realistic understanding of personal risk. Drowning people, even children, are also experiencing Fight/Flight & this means they can have "superhuman" strength. Add panic to this scenario & a 10 year old boy could actually drown a full grown man who was trying to rescue him.
When an experienced swimmer jumps in unknown water to rescue somebody, they are doing so in spite of knowing that they will be in imminent danger; vs being oblivious to that fact. To me; that is a truly selfless act.
Even a mother trying to run into a burning building to save her child, is not doing so out of a lack of thought. She knows what her odds are ... and she doesn't care.
Sometimes when I do "good deeds" they make me feel worse about myself because I feel guilty for how good my life is, how much I spend etc. Sometimes I know it will make me feel guilty.
Perhaps you can only be truly selfless if you do good deeds that make you feel rotten.
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