The Unselfishness Trap - Logical Arguments for Selfishness?, page 2

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reply posted on 2-2-2012 @ 12:51 AM by ottobot

reply to post by WWu777

Logical argument for selfishness: Survival of the Fittest.

In the purely selfish world you would want your DNA to be passed on, at any cost. In the most extreme sense, as in nature, you'd do anything you could (including euthanasia of step-children because they do not share your DNA, and you'd want more resources for your own DNA-related offspring) to have your DNA passed on to the next generation.

In a less extreme sense, being overly selfish in our society usually gains you wealth, power, career success, and so on. But, you may end up losing connections with other human beings in the process, hurting your chances of procreative success.

In reality, balance is key to survival. You need to be both selfish and unselfish to successfully compete for financial and procreative prosperity.

reply posted on 2-2-2012 @ 09:43 AM by arpgme

Originally posted by ottobot
reply to post by WWu777

In a less extreme sense, being overly selfish in our society usually gains you wealth, power, career success, and so on. But, you may end up losing connections with other human beings in the process, hurting your chances of procreative success. .

This is a misconception. If you are a selfish person and you want a good social life, you'll find a way to make that happen and it will be with people that can ACCEPT you for being who you truly are and you the same for them...

If two people are selfish, they are not dependent on each other and if one of them DOES need help, then they will help the other person because they WANT to and not be forced into doing something that they don't want to do.

So selfish people help you because it comes from their HEART not because they feel like they must.

Or they can help because they are getting something in return IF they don't feel like doing something, which is in that case fair.

reply posted on 2-2-2012 @ 09:53 AM by Manula

reply to post by WWu777

I used to believe in the selfish anthem: do what you want as long as you don't hurt others...
After being a selfish prick i realized that happiness comes from taking care of me and others too, everyone is happy, much better...
Now, i cant just ignore the suffering of others. And even if i could, i wouldnt, you know what i believe?
We are one being, everyone is me, i am everyone, so if my brother is in pain, i am in pain, so i must take care of it if i can.
Take care.

reply posted on 2-2-2012 @ 10:00 AM by Manula

If you guys want to be rich go ahead and do it, but can you do it helping yourselves and the people around you?
Can you be good to others and yourself, the secret is to be good to both.
Its not easy but wisdom is being good to everyone involved in the situations we are living.

reply posted on 2-2-2012 @ 11:19 AM by ottobot

reply to post by arpgme

Agreed, see option 3.

I said "may", because there are always exceptions to the rule. I am talking about in the most extreme financial sense.

But, I am talking more about, for example, people who skyrocket to the top of a major company. Say they make tons of money, but spend 80+ hours per week at the job, cannot keep a stable relationship, and never have children. This is what I mean by hurting one's procreative success.

reply posted on 8-2-2012 @ 03:36 PM by WWu777

reply posted on 8-2-2012 @ 03:40 PM by WWu777

Originally posted by Manula
reply to post by WWu777

I used to believe in the selfish anthem: do what you want as long as you don't hurt others...
After being a selfish prick i realized that happiness comes from taking care of me and others too, everyone is happy, much better...
Now, i cant just ignore the suffering of others. And even if i could, i wouldnt, you know what i believe?
We are one being, everyone is me, i am everyone, so if my brother is in pain, i am in pain, so i must take care of it if i can.
Take care.

Well everyone is different. Not everyone derives happiness from helping others. I like to help others by spreading knowledge and awareness, but not by doing mundane charity work. If that makes you happy, that's fine. But it's not right for you to force others to do the same and make them feel obligated, as though they can't be happy unless they help others first. That would infringe upon their happiness and rights as well.

reply posted on 17-2-2012 @ 08:17 PM by 1pi314

It is in your own interest to help others in many cases. If you help others, then other people will like you, and will help you in your own time of need. Therefore, you can be selfish by helping others. It's a win-win.