Yes even Mother Theresa

Although we can 'appear' to do charitable, selfless acts - we gain a
positive feeling about ourselves - and because of this, it is impossible to
prove they did it for any other reasons (than selfish ones)

I threw this in about a year ago and it's time for a reminder

On Oct 23, 8:27 pm, "JethroUK" wrote:

Everyone acts in their own perceived self-interest, but not everyone
is "selfish".

To act selfishly is to pursue one's own interests *at the expense of
others*.

"JethroUK" wrote:

What is it that you claim nobody ever does? Give an example. In order
for your statement to have any meaning at all, you have to explain what
the world would be like if it were false, and then show how the real
world is not like that world.

Without the above, your statement is non-verifiable and non-falsifable.

ta nc.rr.com> wrote:

What is an act that is against ones preceived self-interest?

On Oct 23, 9:15 pm, "Daniel T." earthlink.net> wrote:

Well, if I am a professional baseball pitcher who feels that baseball
is my life's passion and I cut off my pitching arm with a chainsaw,
that would be against my perceived self-interest.

"JethroUK" wrote in message
news:XjwTi.29120$DB2.24407@newsfe1-win.ntli.net...

I learned at an early age that it is impossible to do something which
one figures will in some way harm himself ultimately.

One has to only do what he feels will benefit himself.

The problem with this is that people overlook the fact that the best
way to benefit oneself is to benefit others.

"JethroUK" wrote in message
news:XjwTi.29120$DB2.24407@newsfe1-win.ntli.net...

In fact, as I have discovered 'selfishness', it may be the root of evil. I
contend, as a deist, that 'selfishness' is a chasm that seperates us from
God.

At the very least, selfishness seperates us from the whole and most
altruistic thought and behavior serves the whole one way or another.

JethroUK schreef:

You might find the book by Stirner "The ego and his own" particullary
usefull.

JethroUK schreef:

What are you trying to do? Unmaskering people as egoists? What help
would that do? I think it's better if people think they are not egoists,
and behave somewhat unselfishly, because that might favour me.

Why should you want to have the role of "unmaskering people"?

You migth feel happy for the status it gives you. But you might also
give people frustrated feelings. Frustration tends to spread.

I am unmaskering you. You're not only an egoïst (nothing wrong with
that) but a frustration-spreader.

Frustrating isn't it?

JethroUK schreef:

You misunderstand the nature of "Love". It's similar to Desire, but
Desire will not look at the costs it takes to get what you want.

I am so gratefull that there are people with "Love".

Now you have three reactions of me, please choose the one you want.