Absolutely Unselfish Acts

[Supersour]

Who here believes that a human can commit an absolutely unselfish act?

[RantingSidekick]

I feel like no one on this site has the mindset to argue that humans can be selfless.

Normally I would be arguing for the fact that one can be selfless - I love charity and helping people, it's my favorite thing in the world.
But I do it making other people happy makes me happy. And I'm fairly self-absorbed.

[Supersour]

In order to feel happiness, these people must do good things. It’s arguable that they do it for themselves. Therefore, one who helps is lessening themselves for the sake of themselves.

And if people really wanted to help, wouldn’t they go about it differently?

[Supersour]

But you just said...?

I’m referring to those who help others in small ways on a daily basis, instead of giving it their all. E.g. Donating to a charity instead of selling their things, grabbing a plane trip to Africa and giving everything away there. Anything less than this situation and they are still retaining some selfishness.

[Supersour]

Sorry, blonde moment. I get it.

Let's see if this makes sense: We are wired for selfishness because it's a survival adaptation. If we can actually overcome it, then we are truly unselfish. But this is entirely irrelevant anyway.

[Megan (Fishy)]

*interrupts where I don't belong*

But at the same time, wouldn't killing yourself be selfish? I consider suicide one of the most selfish choices you could make, it hurts everyone around you and leaves them to figure out/deal with whatever you left behind that made you take your own life.
So... I think I agree with you? If you want to look at it that way, surviving is the lesser of two evils, anyway.

[Supersour]

When people kill themselves, it most definitely is selfish. However, I don't blame the people who do so. We're being selfish ourselves if we expect others to owe us their lives.

[Supersour]

You do it because it would be wasteful otherwise.

Do you feel guilty when you are wasteful?

[Supersour]

Then does someone you know approve of donations?

[Supersour]

Hm. And your mom and society isn't all like: "Good Tally." ?

[Supersour]

XD Delete that, delete that, delete that.

[Izzy]

It's possible...

[RantingSidekick]

Thank you.