Self interest?

[richndanapoint]

Do you believe that that all actions are motivated by self-interest ie. One attains, at minimum, an emotional benefit from their altruistic actions; does this somehow invalidate the action or its morality? I'm just wondering out of curiosity

When it comes down to it, what is 'the right thing to do'? We all have notions of morals and values and whatnot, but deep down, do we really just want to please ourselves?
Even the people who are examples of the great, loving person, in the end, maybe they do it because it makes them look better, or feel better. What do you all think?

[Zoni]

richndanapoint said:

Do you believe that that all actions are motivated by self-interest ie. One attains, at minimum, an emotional benefit from their altruistic actions; does this somehow invalidate the action or its morality? I'm just wondering out of curiosity

When it comes down to it, what is 'the right thing to do'? We all have notions of morals and values and whatnot, but deep down, do we really just want to please ourselves?
Even the people who are examples of the great, loving person, in the end, maybe they do it because it makes them look better, or feel better. What do you all think?

Your cynicism appalls me, Rich.

[Less.Than.Three.]

I think there are times when being so introspective serves little purpose.

No person being entirely honest with themselves would deny having at least an inkling of selfishness in them. Whether or not this selfishness is the driving force behind our actions is another thing. To try and discern another person's motive has little purpose, as we must appreciate the fact that they are indeed dying to themselves. If we can only be content when every last drop of selfishness is whacked out of an individual, we'll be mighty unhappy.

[[K]hAoS]

I help people because it makes me feel good and hopefully them feel good. I think deep down most things humans do are to please themselves and alot of there actions are selfless and inconsiderate. Theres alot of people that have one person inside them and themself

[richndanapoint]

ilovepi said:

richndanapoint said:

Do you believe that that all actions are motivated by self-interest ie. One attains, at minimum, an emotional benefit from their altruistic actions; does this somehow invalidate the action or its morality? I'm just wondering out of curiosity

When it comes down to it, what is 'the right thing to do'? We all have notions of morals and values and whatnot, but deep down, do we really just want to please ourselves?
Even the people who are examples of the great, loving person, in the end, maybe they do it because it makes them look better, or feel better. What do you all think?

Your cynicism appalls me, Rich.

Likewise with your morals, or lack there of

[« tman »]

I actually agree with you there Rich. You might do a nice thing for someone, but you might just be doing it so someone thinks of you as a good person. I know I see myself doing that sometimes.

[[K]hAoS]

tman said:

I actually agree with you there Rich. You might do a nice thing for someone, but you might just be doing it so someone thinks of you as a good person. I know I see myself doing that sometimes.

What you mean you do it to look good

[richndanapoint]

I believe we do what pleases ourselves.

Giving joy to other people is a way of pleasing oneself.

[« tman »]

nicechap said:

tman said:

I actually agree with you there Rich. You might do a nice thing for someone, but you might just be doing it so someone thinks of you as a good person. I know I see myself doing that sometimes.

What you mean you do it to look good

By good, I mean they think you're a nice person and all And it pleases you for them to think that.

[Zoni]

richndanapoint said:

I believe we do what pleases ourselves.

Giving joy to other people is a way of pleasing oneself.

There's a difference between happiness and pleasure.

[richndanapoint]

I have an example, not necessarily of this type of situation, but one in general. Everyone knows how when you really love someone you say how you only want them to be happy no matter what, but what you really mean is you want them to be happy, and have you be part of it. It's part of the satisfaction you seek. Can anybody argue against that point?

[« tman »]

richndanapoint said:

I have an example, not necessarily of this type of situation, but one in general. Everyone knows how when you really love someone you say how you only want them to be happy no matter what, but what you really mean is you want them to be happy, and have you be part of it. It's part of the satisfaction you seek. Can anybody argue against that point?

Nope, I agree with that.

[Less.Than.Three.]

richndanapoint said:

I have an example, not necessarily of this type of situation, but one in general. Everyone knows how when you really love someone you say how you only want them to be happy no matter what, but what you really mean is you want them to be happy, and have you be part of it. It's part of the satisfaction you seek. Can anybody argue against that point?

That is true, to a certain extent. But there have been a select few people who wish for the one they love to be happy--with or without them. There will be the desire for them to be with you, but it's the actual ignoring of the selfish needs that is truly what sacrifice is all about.

[richndanapoint]

Just one more example, What about the person that knows that their partner will be happier with someone else? I think you can want someone to be happy without the imposed condition that they be with you. I suppose, you could argue that you're acting out of some self-interest as you couldn't possibly be happy with someone who wants to be with someone else. But then again, are altruism and self-interest, two mutually-exclusive concepts?

[[K]hAoS]

tman said:

nicechap said:

What you mean you do it to look good

By good, I mean they think you're a nice person and all And it pleases you for them to think that.

Self Pleasing

I think everyone is guilty of that, like when you do something good and people say well done you always are big headed after it and i am sure some people do it for the trills afterwards