Analysing Selfishness

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  tcm70

  7 years ago

  I think selfishness is indeed a natural trait that occurs without thought. Of course there’s vast varying degrees of selfishness. I think it’s really only applicable to humans tho, as apparently we are the only organisms that have the sense of ‘self’. Animals and other organisms only act in a manner they need to survive, whereas us humans take anything we can get to improve our lives or purely because we can. I think we do need a certain degree of selfishness, otherwise we wouldn’t survive, we do need to think of our own well being and at times selfishness is the only way to obtain that to a degree. I’ve heard it said about Mother Theresa being selfish in a manner, as even tho she gave so much to others, the joy she received from it can be regarded as selfishness. I see selfishness as a protective measure, as if we were all selfless, then there would be no ambition to succceed, or to even live. Selfishness does have a negative connotation to the word as generally when talking about selfish behaviour, it’s at the extreme end but I do believe we need a certain amount of selfishness in us and it’s not necessarily a negative thing. An interesting and potentially deep topic op. I’ll be following this with interest.

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  RHP User

  7 years ago

  Would you agree that humans, and all living organisms act constantly in a selfish way? The words "all" and "constantly" are pretty much painting yourself into a corner, so the short answer has to be NO.I do like the idea of analysing selfishness and I think the Pie crew could throw some light on the matter as I'm sure some here are more selfish than others, especially when it relates to sexuality. * RHP Disclaimer, I'm not insinuating anything about any individuals here so don't get defensive please*If the question was more like are we essentially selfish rather than selfless then it would be more open to debate. There are fifty shades of humans Trump is at the most selfish and narcissistic end of the scale, others are not. Ultimately we need to look at what motivates a person. Take money for instance there are those who would do anything for money and are obsessed with because it gives them bling, lifestyle and power others eschew money for their own reasons and some see it as a medium of exchange.I think you've both OVER thought and OVER simplified a complex issue.I want to help because it makes me feel good, so I guess it's all about me and not the recipient of the help.

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  RHP User

  7 years ago

  Would you agree that humans, and all living organisms act constantly in a selfish way? The words "all" and "constantly" are pretty much painting yourself into a corner, so the short answer has to be NO.I do like the idea of analysing selfishness and I think the Pie crew could throw some light on the matter as I'm sure some here are more selfish than others, especially when it relates to sexuality. * RHP Disclaimer, I'm not insinuating anything about any individuals here so don't get defensive please*If the question was more like are we essentially selfish rather than selfless then it would be more open to debate. There are fifty shades of humans Trump is at the most selfish and narcissistic end of the scale, others are not. Ultimately we need to look at what motivates a person. Take money for instance there are those who would do anything for money and are obsessed with because it gives them bling, lifestyle and power others eschew money for their own reasons and some see it as a medium of exchange.I think you've both OVER thought and OVER simplified a complex issue.I want to help because it makes me feel good, so I guess it's all about me and not the recipient of the help.

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  RHP User

  7 years ago

  I simply believe that we all have to have a degree of selfishness, you have to draw the line somewhere and just think of yourself. Where that line is varies from person to person, but there comes a point where you just have to look after yourself and bugger everybody else. The fun part is making sure that thinking in such terms always stays the exception rather than the rule. I'm sure even Mother Theresa would occasionally just go to herself ''you know what? I should be handing out food to the poor tonight, but I just need to chill the fuck out. Netflix and a couple of glasses of wine should see me sorted nicely''.

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  RHP User

  7 years ago

  Speaking in general terms, selfishness is a case of perspectives To person A they are doing what is right for them. Their decisions which best suit their path. To person B who may at times feel aggrieved and ignored by that, they’re being selfish..... but they’re likely seen as selfish by person C because person B is making their own choices too So I’m inclined to think it’s often a case of a little of columns A & B..... and C is just a whiney little bitch 🤣

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  RHP User

  7 years ago

  Speak for yourself.

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  countrytouch82

  7 years ago

  Yes, and no. Example: having children. Many reflect the idea of NOT having children, as a selfish one. However, having children, is normally something that you as a person WANT and WISH FOR for in your own life, so could be said to be just as selfish (if selfishness is applicable as described). Doing good for others can makes us feel good, whether we are praised or not. Why do we wish to feel good? Because we need to do so for our own, personal, internal mental health and self esteem. Technically that could be seen as selfish. Of course, you could argue back that by taking care of yourself, you are more capable of continuing to help others and do more good, than by neglecting yourself and your own needs. But we still choose helpful things we have some interest in, or are at most indifferent about. Doing something you REALLY HATE for someone you REALLY HATE just for the benefit of helping, despite all your reservations, might be the ultimate selflessness we are capable of, short of actually giving your life.

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  RHP User

  7 years ago

  One of the things my busy mind has wondered about is that according to God, we all born in sin. I equated this to selfishness to begin with after reading stuff over the years. That we're born needy and cries are our demand to get food and whatever else we need, at least to begin with, depending on lessons learned from that. Growth balloons from there and some become more selfless than others. There are some personality types like narcissists who can appear selfless, but they are sucking up all the attention and the fame for their good deeds/behaviour. Look at it this way... Even God's love could be viewed as selfish that we have to accept him to reach heaven.

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  MsJonesy

  7 years ago

  But I will have a crack. (Some of the following is general concepts, particularly the musings on children. I'm sure we all have a young child in our lives who doesn't meet these general descriptions). I agree with TCM that selfishness is a natural trait which is seen in humans. Young children are by & large inherently selfish as they primarily concerned with their own world, needs and wants. It is only with interaction with others, and learning that sharing is a societal norm, that they gradually learn to consider others and share with others; they develop self regulation. It is usually from 7+ onwards they begin to consider others to a degree which begins to override their innate selfishness. So they move from a subjective sense of self to one which is more objective, and their actions are more informed by the perception of impact on others. (If this is of interest, I would point you towards Piaget for more readings, and see where that slippery slope leads you 😊) As adults we all can still be selfish; as Okey suggests it can be a case of self preservation to play the selfish card. I've certainly done that, where I have put myself and my needs first in order to maintain my personal equilibrium. Is there still adults who act like young children? Absolutely! But as adults we are usually well aware of the impact of our selfishness. Do the absolute terms 'automatic' and 'constant' apply to us all? No, I don't think so. In many respects that could be viewed as detrimental to continual self development. If we have to constantly and consciously override selfish thoughts (and our actions are derived from our thoughts) we would be a cognitive mess. To me, it can't be an ever present influence whether it is conscious or not.

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  Rlee552

  7 years ago

  with the concept of selfish having no real positive connotations. It is someone who lacks consideration for other people - that is all other people. History is littered with examples of selfless behaviour. We see people act without conscious thought all the time putting themselves in danger to save others. We see parents do extraordinary acts of bravery to protect their children. We see young children care for one another when the other child is hurt. One of the things which has allowed us to succeed is our ability to socialise and empathise with one another. Without this we would be nothing more than fighting fish having to be kept separate from one another. This is not to say we do not generally act out of self interest - this does not make us selfish and does not define our behaviour as a constant. This is not to say that we do no grow out of behaviour where our own personal and immediate needs define what we do.

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  RHP User

  7 years ago

  The way you answer this question tells more about you than about the reality of human existence. Many would say empathy or altruism does not exist and that behind it is a selfish motive of chasing happiness. Darwin speculated that the emotions must be key to the survival of the fittest. Maslow coined the name ‘metaneeds’ and identified them with intrinsic human values: truth, beauty, perfection, justice, meaningfulness. Some in today’s society consider this to be foolish. We are driven by our permanent hedonic gradient - alternating positive/negative emotions, fixed by genes and early personal ontogenesis. Therefore we all have a subjective experience of emotions in the form of feelings. Most part of our emotions never enter consciousness. They stay hidden and influence our behaviour and our preferences. (Ms Jonesy mentioned Piaget) I actually detest the word happiness, which is so overused that it has become almost meaningless. The notion of happiness as limitless pleasure runs counter to a fundamental biological fact: biological sensing systems are designed to respond to changes in the incoming stimuli (not the magnitude of a stimulus). Analogous with sensory accommodation, the emotional responses to a pleasant stimulus also weaken or completely cease, if a stimulus remains constant. This phenomenon has been called the hedonic treadmill. So you see, those who are guided by hedonistic pleasures may be the furthest from it. We have been moulded by evolution not to be happy, but to act on the phantasm of happiness. I always thought we are dancing on a thin line. Thin as the skin that separates us from the others. (Ms)

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  RHP User

  7 years ago

  Think about the times you have flown on a plane...the safety Demo... You know the one, where they say if the oxygen masks fall from the ceiling, fit your own first before you fit your children. Sometimes we have to be selfish to survive to assist those around us.

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  RHP User

  7 years ago

  I am sorry for getting carried away. Hatter kicked himself laughing when he heard what I wrote. Do not know why. Perhaps my answer was not clear. I agree with Ms Jonesy and Rlee and some others. We may be genetically predisposed to fight for sole survival and perhaps our emotions are part of that genetic make-up, but equally, if not more, our behaviour and the way we perceive the world is shaped by our environment (attachment to mothers, how we were raised and experiences with others). You are selfless when you take an interest in others. Pleasure and happiness are not the same and there is a limit to pleasure. Happiness might be a goal we are pursuing but it cannot be a set goal sold as a consumer goods, nor are people a disposable commodity; it can only spring up from pursuing long-term goals and our interaction with others... Therefore, moral views rest entirely on our feelings and our value judgements are results of our experiences.(Ms)

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  RHP User

  7 years ago

  To quote the Dalai Lama The interest of others is the best form of self interest. Q

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