Sense of self

I definitely do not have any sense of self-preservation or conciousnous. I would instantly sacrifice myself for a friend or even a stranger if I could save them. Weirdly enough, this also extends to my personal belongings. For example, If I loaned my car to a friend and they totalled it, I wouldn't really care all that much and I wouldn't ask that they pay me back for it.

Is this unusual? With all of the 'end of the world' scenarios around today I have thought of what I might do if faced with a survival situation. I just wouldn't go out of my way to survive. I can't imagine running or being terrified about impending death. It seems that most people talk of doing anything required to survive but I don't feel that way at all.

Any thoughts?

if we look at this with a natural perspective in that humans work in packs, the idea of giving your life for the pack seems common in the animal world.

Have you been in the military faced with a dangerous situation, been in a fist fight, been in a bad car crash ? I'd be interested to see how you react in a life threatening situation.

OK, just to make one thing clear. Wanting to survive to avoid disaster is not imutably motivated by Fear, but rather a love and appreciation for life.

If i found out someone was coming to kill me with a bunch of other people, i would definitely make an effort to save my life. Its a gift that i am alive, and have my own mind, thoughts, feelings, hands, legs, face and personal belongs that are apart of me (that is, an extension of myself into this physical world). It is a profound gesture, if not the most important of all acts, when one takes regard for his own life.

Just as much as one appreciates himself, so to should he appreciate others. Now, since you obviously dont care for yourself, why care about others? What makes them better than you? If you logically find no reason to show regard for your own life, or your own feelings or views (also, your feelings about yourself are still YOUR feelings. You cant escape the fact of your own self consciousness without going completely insane or dying) than why care at all about others?

You are talking here about the physical self or the identity in this life. From your description, you do not seem to be attached to physical objects or even death, which is a promising thing. The world will not end no matter how many other people type, say or believe, the "end of the world" scenarios appears as a reaction of fear and insecurity. Why should you run from death? What would you gain ?

some people dont know the value of human life, but you sir, thank you.

you dont care about race, gender, orientation, or brain size? if so, thank you again.
if you can save just one person, it would be worth it. its true knowledge, and why monks formed and vow to own nothing,and give their mind body and soul to meditation and knowledge.

thats a bit extreme, but you get my meaning

i would save g.w.bush if he was hanging from a cliff with thousands of phiranna. i would have to. i hate what he did to millions of people, but one little insignificant person can change his world forever, id do it because life is what matters, i dont care what you have done or what you think, where you come from etc, you are more beautiful than all of the ipads and cars, tvs, hell, facebook for sure....

the end of the information age is coming to an end, but i believe before that people will find all sorts of unexpected things and rather rapidly. thats broad, but my theory is that life is going to kick some people in the face, and it is definitely going to be on an individual basis, but its so hard to explain when it happens. the moment when you sit back and just realize how wrong you have had it, but you realize how beautiful it is, it just seems common sense
i hope more people learn this very soon, with whats ahead, its the only thing that will keep us alive

so much haterade out there

Originally posted by AidanK
Sense of self

If I loaned my car to a friend and they totalled it, I wouldn't really care all that much and I wouldn't ask that they pay me back for it.

i cal him a stupid mo----- ------- ----- ------ --- idiot, but it would get my point across

hmm...interesting...
I would like to think I could sacrifice myself for anyone anytime in any situation. I think though, that such acts are impulsive and depend on certain situations. Different fears affect me differently. Like one time, my moms dog(black pug) got out at night and i had to chase it down. It thought I was playing with it so it kept running away. Then it ran into a semi-fast 4 lane road in the path of a truck. I instantly yelled HO! and jumped in front of it. It's tires squealed and barely missed me. Thinking back on this it was pretty stupid as i could have caused other people a lot of damage. I don't even like dogs. This other time, I was robbed at gun point. Even though that sound of the gun cocking shot me full of a heavy dose of adrenalin I didn't loose my head....in a couple ways...I know that wasn't a selfless act but in a similar situation i feel like i could sacrifice myself. Now if i spot a spider, any size or variety, I use anyone or thing as a shield.
I don't think i would be so forgiving with my vehicle as you would. Then again I don't lend it to anyone. If I did and they totaled it I would first make sure they were okay and all that. Once i was sure they were fine i would slap the # out of them and make them pay for it.
As for how common is it, I would have to say not at all. Even though 9 people out of 10 would say they would die for someone they loved or help someone in need i think only one of them would do something. Like all the videos coming out these days where people are being beaten, robbed, or whatever and everyone there doesn't move a finger.

I definitely do not have any sense of self-preservation or conciousnous. I would instantly sacrifice myself for a friend or even a stranger if I could save them.

You made a mistake, you HAVE a very strong sense of self-preservation and consciousness. If there was a dangerous situation, and everyone had the same mind to sacrifice themselves for others, they would immediatley start cooperating and working together in a dilligent manner.