[Bungleau]

Originally posted by spydar: I'm just gonna warn all of you now: I am a paranoid pessimist. No problem... I like a good discussion with a firm point of view [img]smile.gif[/img] Here's why I think that altruism (the act of doing something beneficial for another without recieving anything in return) doesn't exist (atleast among humans, with animals it's still up in the air until people manage to agree whether or not animals experience the same emotions as humans, and why the hell wouldn't they? but I digress). Nail number one in the coffin is here... but I'll wait... Nobody does something without getting something else in return, even if it's the warm fuzzies that Hallmark is always blathering about. You do something beneficial for another you're going to feel nice about it which IS getting something in return. The only way you wouldn't is if you didn't realize you were doing it, but then altruism has to be a conscious act so that scenario is out of the picture. So, therefore thus (and I realize those two words basically mean the same thing), altruism among humans doesn't exist. Ahhh... but that's not altruism. Altruism, by dictionary definition, is "Unselfish concern for the welfare of others; selflessness" (per dictionary.com). It is not "doing something without getting something in return"; it is doing something for the betterment of the other party. A second definition is "Zoology. Instinctive cooperative behavior that is detrimental to the individual but contributes to the survival of the species. " There is no indication of self-awareness in the mix, nor of desires to do things without reward. It is more of "doing for another because you care for that other". Which fits nicely into my little philosophy: Atruism doesn't exist Karma is bull-crap The universe is spitfull First point is only valid by your new definition of altruism. Second... the concept of karma may, IMHO, have its origins in a deep-seated desire to see justice get done. Not sure on your third point... don't know if I have the cultural background on spitfull. Unless you mean spiteful, in which case I probably have an idea rambling around here. but in my defence I am a sleep-deprived, caffeine addicted, starving university student who has recently become dis-enchanted with the world and the direction it's headed. Now there's a LOT in there that I can relate to... Can't say I didn't warn you. Thanks for the heads-up and the viewpoint