Are humans altruistic?

myp · Aug 5, 2011

Do you think that humans (or some humans) are altrusitic? Is it possible to do things for others completely selflessly or is the good feeling from such acts or personal benefit in doing what one thinks is "right" always present and the real reason why people help others?

Typist · Aug 6, 2011

My take is that pure altruism is possible, but not common.

A more useful definition of altruism might be choosing to get off on helping others, rather than choosing to get off some other way.

Perhaps best seen as a wise choice, rather than a moral choice.

David · Aug 6, 2011

myp said:
Do you think that humans (or some humans) are altrusitic? Is it possible to do things for others completely selflessly or is the good feeling from such acts or personal benefit in doing what one thinks is "right" always present and the real reason why people help others?

No emotional can be truly selfless due to the emotional high from helping others. A person that gets a rush from donating to charity is just as selfish as a person that gets a high from blowing up dogs. But at least the person giving to charity actually helps people with their selfishness.

george · Aug 13, 2011

it is said that man is a social animal but i will say that man is a selfish animal. and it is fort he sake of the hedonism human lives.

JBeukema · Aug 16, 2011

Humans are social animals and, like many social animals, reciprocal altruism is a large part of what has allowed the species to succeed during adverse times.

http://www.amazon.com/Sociobiology-New-Synthesis-Twenty-Fifth-Anniversary/dp/0674002350

https://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/13/magazine/13Psychology-t.html

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Are humans altruistic?

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