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Have you accepted the principle of altruism? If so, how is it affecting your life?
Have you ever done something for the sake of others—at the expense of what you really thought was best for your own life? For instance: Have you ever accepted an invitation to dine with someone whose company you do not enjoy—because you didn’t want to hurt his or her feelings? Have you ever skipped an event—such as a ski trip or a weekend at the beach with your friends—in order to spend time with family members you’d really rather not see? Have you ever remained in a relationship that you know is not in your best interest—because you think that he or she couldn’t handle the breakup?
Conversely, have you ever felt guilty for not sacrificing for others? Have you ever felt ashamed for doing something that was in your own best interest? For instance, have you felt guilty for not giving change to a beggar on a street corner? Or guilty for pursuing a degree in business or art or something you love—rather than doing something allegedly “noble,” such as joining the Peace Corps?
These are just some of the consequences of accepting the morality of altruism.
Altruism is not good for your life: If you practice it consistently, it leads to death
However, how we feel about something is not indicative of that something, but is wholly indicative of he whom experiences it. Nothing besides.
What if something could not express its feelings, perhaps in a coma, and was completely unconscious of every sensation, could you still empathize with them?
Do you value beings who express feelings over beings that do not?
I see what you did there.
Feels good.
I'm trying to understand how the subjective self controls the objective self. Your solution, as made evident from your rhetoric, is to deny the former. I'm not convinced it's that simple.
"Just look at us. Everything is backwards. Everything is upside down. Doctors destroy health lawyers destroy justice universities destroy knowledge governments destroy freedom the major media destroy information and religion destroys spirituality." - Michael Ellner
originally posted by: WASTYT
It is very simple to just hand wave it and say it's the body, and that may be all fine and good, except there's a lot my body won't do unless "I" command it to. Of course there's a trillion things going on with my body automatically, i.e outside of "my" conscious control... Where is this delineation? And why? Could this feeling of "me", my self, my identity been in any other body?
originally posted by: WASTYT
a reply to: Itisnowagain
Spontaneity implies action without prior thought. Could human society function if we were all acting spontaneously?
There is no one thinking - thoughts happen.
Do you have to think about the next thought before it can happen? Do you have to compose it prior to thinking it?
Thought just pops up - look to see the next thought appear.
originally posted by: WASTYT
a reply to: Itisnowagain
There is no one thinking - thoughts happen.
Les Mis should give you a big kiss for this one.