Is everything we do for selfish reasons?

[Lysander]

Someone at work says everything anyone ever does is purely selfish.

He's right. Of course everything we do is selfish. Anyone who thinks otherwise is daft.

There's nothing wrong with it, however.

 

[boxman2000]

Those guys get a massive rush when they pull people alive from the rubble.

But that's not selfish as surely selfishness can be defined by the motive in which an action is undertaken...... wanting to save a life because you want to save a life is the motive behind most of these people I'm certain!

 

[Garee]

Absolutely everything you do, you do because you want to.

 

[nydryl]

Scenario:

You do something you know will have a negative effect on your life and a positive effect on someone elses.

To some extent you feel proud of yourself for this act so it is not entirely selfless.

However by not being selfless is it automatically selfish? Can there not be a middle ground?

 

[Jokester]

But that's not selfish as surely selfishness can be defined by the motive in which an action is undertaken...... wanting to save a life because you want to save a life is the motive behind most of these people I'm certain!

Yet, when the rescue teams are interviewed about why they do it, they generally say that you can't beat the feeling you get knowing you saved someones life.

 

[Rroff]

"Everything I dooooo, I do it for youuuuu"

Wonder if I'm the only one who recognised the quote.

 

[Cosimo]

"Everything I dooooo, I do it for youuuuu"

It's the best way.

​

 

[nydryl]

Wonder if I'm the only one who recognised the quote.

The majority will get the quote.

 

[Vonhelmet]

Wonder if I'm the only one who recognised the quote.

Good grief, that song is 20 years old. I feel ancient.

 

[nickrose]

You're work friend is an utter tool.

This.

Seems that your 'Friend' likes arguing for the sake of it.

If you do something nice for somebody, you are doing it because YOU want to, not because what the other person might think of you for doing it.

 

[A.N.Other]

So me sitting on the loo, having a **** is selfish?

You selfish ****

 

[Zefan]

I ultimately agree with him, but then again I am known for loving to argue for the sake of it.

 

[gropingmantis]

So me sitting on the loo, having a **** is selfish?

Err yes? Who are you sat on the toilet for?

 

[Theophany]

If you do something nice for somebody, you are doing it because YOU want to, not because what the other person might think of you for doing it.

Which is selfish, what's your point??

Also, if the OP feels the need to bring up in conversation the fact that they give to charity, then it just proves the argument.

 

[Rroff]

The majority will get the quote.

Actually I was thinking of another song lol... didn't even think of the (more commonly know) one I'm guessing the poster was thinking of.

 

[Deep]

i went and helped my bro move stuff in his house despite having a rank hangover.

i did that for no other reason than he is my twin brother and he asked for help.

If you have a hangover does he have one as well?

 

[OriginalJonty]

I do things that will make myself, my family and my friends happy. I do this because seeing my friends and family happy makes me happy. So in that sense I'm selfish.

 

[G|mp]

I ultimately agree with him, but then again I am known for loving to argue for the sake of it.

You're wrong.

 

[Redmint]

Not everything we do is "entirely" selfish, however most people don't do many/(any) things which they don't get anything from whatsoever.

 

[div0]

If I did a good deed, just solely to prove this thread wrong, would that be selfish?