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 Are we selfish by nature? (10)

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CubeGlider(132) pic



Are we selfish by nature?

A lot of people are selfish. Some people who do things for others are considered to be selfless, but are they really? If they do it because they believe it is right then isn't that just as selfish as anything else? Or are we capable of doing things that we truly have nothing to gain from doing?

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1 point

No. As with all animals, humans procreate. This is our primal instinct, to pass the torch.

CubeGlider(132) Disputed
1 point

One could argue that since we have to survive in order to pass the torch, our first priority would be ourselves and only then the next generation.

Akulakhan(2985) Disputed
1 point

What reason is there to survive initially then? I'd claim it's in order to procreate.

1 point

Something I thought onto a little while ago.

Selfish and self-interest are 2 different things.

We all naturally work for our self interests... but that doesn't necesserily make us selfish.

Some of us however are selfish and there always will be some people who are selfish no matter what age and date.

However atm there are many many many selfish people. Why? Capitalism.

1 point

I think you have very good points apart from the capitalism thing. All capitalism does is give people the choice to be self serving or to help others; in any other system the only reason there would be less selfishness is because people are being forced to be less selfish, not because they want to be.

1 point

depends what you mean by selfish and selfless, selfish to me means taking more than your share, or getting something of great value for little cost.

slefless to me means giving up something of higher worth for little reward.

Side: depends

1. devoted to or caring only for oneself; concerned primarily with one's own interests, benefits, welfare, etc., regardless of others.

2. characterized by or manifesting concern or care only for oneself: selfish motives.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/selfishhttp://dictionary.reference.com/browse/selfish

It's hard to be truly selfish because people would avoid dealing with you.

Side: depends

you are your only reference point in this universe. Your desires, wants and needs are all you really know. Even empathy is imagining yourself in another's shoes, usually done because of social desires. How could you be anything other then selfish?

Side: depends
1 point

exactly. is being misguided or mistaken then truly the only way to be selfless?

Side: depends

I think human nature breeds selfishness because there are too many selfish people in this world.

Side: depends