K
Kain10th
Member
- May 7, 2020
- 99
I think that is spot on in 99.9% of cases.My philosophy is that everyone acts in their own self interest in everything, not necessarily selfish, but that's pretty much just semantics. I don't believe there is such a thing as selflessness because for every act of "selflessness" you gain something whether it's meaning, fulfillment, happiness, etc. Every livingbeing survives by caring about themselves and caring about others increases chances of survival which in turn increases their chances of survival. That's just how we function.
You may have a point but I do think that that person that gave up that ventilator did gain something, I don't think they died feeling truly awful and purposeless. I believe due to our differing survival mechanisms, that can sometimes contrast with each other, certain survival mechanisms win over the other but there's always something to gain. For example one might choose to follow the fear of losing a sense of community over the fear of death, both survival mechanisms, but in every choice you gain something even while dying, just a matter of perspective. If that makes sense.I think that is spot on in 99.9% of cases.
But...
Recently I heard about an older person giving up their place on a ventilator for COVID so that a younger person could take their place. The older person died. Admittedly, it wasn't clear about any underlying considerations, but there ARE a vanishingly tiny number of people who perform selfless acts who will not benefit from them in any way at all.
And of course, mother's or father's sacrificing their lives for their offspring are well documented. Sometimes preserving your genetic heritage or the survival of the species takes precedence over individual concerns.
But yes, this is rare.
Yes, that makes sense. People may feel they gain more even if it looks to others like they lose everything. Also, inYou may have a point but I do think that that person that gave up that ventilator did gain something, I don't think they died feeling truly awful and purposeless. I believe due to our differing survival mechanisms, that can sometimes contrast with each other, certain survival mechanisms win over the other but there's always something to gain. For example one might choose to follow the fear of losing a sense of community over the fear of death, both survival mechanisms, but in every choice you gain something even while dying, just a matter of perspective. If that makes sense.