What simple thing do you think we could all do in our lives that would make everyone else's better?

submitted by Zombi from (self.AskSaidIt)

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[–]sawboss 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (4 children)

I don't believe people are mostly good. I believe people are selfish. Altruistic idealism leads to unimaginable horrors because it isn't founded in objective reality.

If you really want to do good in the world, first define what you mean by good. Next, challenge yourself to do things which measure up to that definition without causing harm to others. If you ever figure that out, then teach.

[–]Zombi[S] 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (3 children)

Meh, people can be both selfish and also looking out for the best for others. Those two things aren't mutually exclusive. You could argue anything with any will to live is inherently selfish, which would make being unselfish impossible.

There are also tons of things that can lead to unimaginable horrors, but I highly doubt supporting a friend through hard times, helping someone move from their house, feeding those in need, or just going through life trying to make others happy will lead to unimaginable horrors. Either way, my point still stands even if it does lead to horrors: Most people want to make others happy/do good for the world. Whether they actually do good (which if you REALLY want to get into a whole debate about that, then yes there is no objective good or evil, but that's a tiring conversation that doesn't really get us anywhere) is up for debate, but that's not the point I'm arguing.

I'm saying most people want to do good for themselves and others.

[–]sawboss 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (2 children)

people can be both selfish and also looking out for the best for others

Considering your own life, which of those comes more naturally to you? Which one requires more mental effort? I maintain that selfishness is the natural human trait, not altruism. We morally weaken ourselves when we deny our own nature, for who can honestly evaluate the worth of anything without understanding its true properties?

But I sense that I am not well prepared to persuade you to my way of thinking. I'll turn you over to someone more learned.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mg4QJheclsQ

[–]Zombi[S] 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

I consider both a natural human trait. Some may exhibit one more than the others, but all around humans naturally exhibit both selfishness and altruism. We have stolen and killed for our own gain and we have given up our possessions and lives for eachother.

Whatever side takes more mental effort is all dependent on the individual. It doesn't take much mental effort to be kind and it doesn't take little effort to be cunning and ruthless. Hell, some of our most evil deeds are some of the most complicated and thought out, while some of our best or "good" deeds have been extremely simple, like doing unto others as you'd have done to you.

I think it is morally weak to totally deny one side of a two sided coin. We humans are not black and white creatures and if we are so selfish then how did we get to where we are today? You don't evolve into an animal that survives best in a group while also being completely selfish. In order for us to be social animals there must be an inherently selfless and altruistic aspect, otherwise how would a group survive if everyone is looking out for themselves?

Even if altruistic actions are for self preservation, that still makes the altruism a core part of ourselves as it is the way in which we are able to realize our selfish agendas.

[–]sawboss 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

I think it is morally weak to totally deny one side of a two sided coin. We humans are not black and white creatures and if we are so selfish then how did we get to where we are today? You don't evolve into an animal that survives best in a group while also being completely selfish. In order for us to be social animals there must be an inherently selfless and altruistic aspect, otherwise how would a group survive if everyone is looking out for themselves?

I somewhat agree with this. Anyway, I urge you to read the book. If you can overcome your initial reservations it may change how you view humanity.