Does altruism actually exist?

Misanthrope · 07-09-2010 03:30PM

consultech wrote: »

As above; How's about absolving himself of the guilt of knowing he had the ability to save a man's life but didn't? It's the same (honest) reason we hand €50 back when someone drops it on the street. There was a thread recently about handing a lost €2k in. I don't recall anyone saying they'd give it back "just to be nice" - Moreso it was because "I couldn't live with the guilt" or "Karma yada yada yada". The doctor (on some level) was protecting himself from the inevtiable guilt of doing nothing.

Protecting himself from guilt by putting himself in the line of fire to be sued and put out of business?Death is a fact of life for doctors, much more so than for the average person.I honestly don't think guilt is a huge factor for them.

As for the money thing.If I find a load of cash and I can't discern who lost it, I will simply pocket it with not a trace of guilt.If I do know whose money it is,and I reckon they are decent, they'll get their money back.If it turned out to be Bertie Aherns loot though, I would take it gleefully and think about how I could rob him again.

Sticky_Fingers · 07-09-2010 03:37PM

Misanthrope wrote: »

Calvinists believe there is no altruism only 'total depravity", that is,we are all out for ourselves and very single action we make is for our own benefit, even when it has the appearance of altruism.For the most part I agree.But I believe I have witnessed a few exceptions.

Why would you listen to people who believe in a giant talking tiger?

I think, considering it's reckoned she was actually an atheist, that Mother Theresa must have been an altruist.

Mother Theresa was no saint, I'd go as far and say that she was a sadist cow. All the money that was donated to her Home for the Dying went straight into the Vatican coffers or into the construction of new convents for her order, very little went to ease the suffering of the people in her care. She believed that through human suffering you came closer to god, is that someone you want ministering to you on you deathbed.

*I expect to be absolutely crucified on here for daring to question the myth and legend that has grown up are this old harpy*

My name is URL · 07-09-2010 03:46PM

Sticky_Fingers wrote: »

*I expect to be absolutely crucified on here for daring to question the myth and legend that has grown up are this old harpy*

Have you ever heard Christopher Hitchens' take on her? Harsh to say the least.. I'm sure she wasn't perfect but she done far more good than most of those who try to vilify her

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WQ0i3nCx60

the other 2 parts are there somewhere too

Mr. CooL ICE · 07-09-2010 03:51PM

Jack Bauer is altruism personified

Sticky_Fingers · 07-09-2010 04:08PM

My name is URL wrote: »

Have you ever heard Christopher Hitchens' take on her? Harsh to say the least.. I'm sure she wasn't perfect but she done far more good than most of those who try to vilify her

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WQ0i3nCx60

the other 2 parts are there somewhere too

Harsh but fair IMO, she was nothing but a money making PR tool for the RCC. I accept that she was human and like the rest of us subject to the same frailties but the representation of her some kind of saintly old prune really sticks in my craw. Gandhi is another one where there is an almost mystical reverence for, despite the fact that he was a bit of a racist who didn't like black people.

These people are human who have tried to do good and in some cases succeed but that does not make them the paradigms of virtue that they are portrayed to be. we should just bit the bullet and slay these golden calves once and for all and just accept that they are just people, who may command your respect but not your unquestioning devotion.

clived2 · 07-09-2010 04:08PM

LordChessington wrote: »

Jack Bauer is altruism personified

Yeah but he is getting paid to act that way;)
The selfish bastard

Does altruism actually exist?

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