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RSS  Discuss the merits and deficiencies of political theories and philosophical questions.
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Old 17-12-2004: 17th December 2004 16:55 #1 
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Default Is a truely selfless act possible?
 
Just wondering...

All acts we carry out have an effect on ourselves. For example, it may be something that benefits us in the short term directly, or something like helping someone out... which stops feelings of guilt or such, or could eventually be used to regain a favour. So do you think it is possible to complete a truely selfless act?
 
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Old 17-12-2004: 17th December 2004 16:59 #3 
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i think a selfless act can be carried out, but only certain people can truely carry them out selflessly with no intention or feelings for themselves. it could be called scarificing under certain conditions i think...i think im thinking about this too much now! :p
 
Old 17-12-2004: 17th December 2004 17:06 #4 
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Originally Posted by neha p
i think a selfless act can be carried out, but only certain people can truely carry them out selflessly with no intention or feelings for themselves. it could be called scarificing under certain conditions i think...i think im thinking about this too much now! :p

but then sacrifices are to make sure that someone/thing you care about is safe/happy etc...
 
Old 17-12-2004: 17th December 2004 17:09 #5 
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Nope its impossible.
Old 17-12-2004: 17th December 2004 17:11 #6 
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xdoing something to help someone which everyone else thinks is immoral or rejects x because of his/her actions, perhaps euthasania in which the rest of the persons family disagree with
Old 17-12-2004: 17th December 2004 17:11 #7 
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Originally Posted by shootingstar
Just wondering...

All acts we carry out have an effect on ourselves. For example, it may be something that benefits us in the short term directly, or something like helping someone out... which stops feelings of guilt or such, or could eventually be used to regain a favour. So do you think it is possible to complete a truely selfless act?
wonder where did I hear that
*recalling her memory*
oh yeah FRIENDS
 
Old 17-12-2004: 17th December 2004 17:11 #8 
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what if you loved your life but saw a speeding bus about to hit a child, thus throwing the child out of the way and being killed yourself?
 
Old 17-12-2004: 17th December 2004 17:13 #9 
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Originally Posted by habosh
wonder where did I hear that
*recalling her memory*
oh yeah FRIENDS

don't watch friends...
 
Old 17-12-2004: 17th December 2004 17:15 #10 
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Originally Posted by sublime_envy
what if you loved your life but saw a speeding bus about to hit a child, thus throwing the child out of the way and being killed yourself?

but then the whole 'heroic actions' and 'ego' thing comes into play...
 
Old 17-12-2004: 17th December 2004 17:21 #11 
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yes but then again you also lost your life so when your dead you aint exactly going to care about your ego.
 
Old 17-12-2004: 17th December 2004 17:31 #12 
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I do selfless stuff,because I'm good
 
Old 17-12-2004: 17th December 2004 17:34 #13 
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No, I don't think there is. As others have mentioned, an apparent selfless act always has hidden motives, even if the person making the action isn't aware of them.
 
Old 17-12-2004: 17th December 2004 17:40 #14 
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Old 17-12-2004: 17th December 2004 17:41 #15 
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Originally Posted by shootingstar
don't watch friends...
Hehe... there was an entire Friends episode about exactly this, where Joey said there was no such thing as a selfless act and Pheobe tried to prove him wrong. But couldn't. Which I agree with... it's not possible
 
Old 17-12-2004: 17th December 2004 17:42 #16 
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One for the philosophy thread?

No, not if you are a Kantian... self gratification and all that.
Old 17-12-2004: 17th December 2004 17:42 #17 
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Originally Posted by sublime_envy
yes but then again you also lost your life so when your dead you aint exactly going to care about your ego.

not so much ego then, more the 'i did something to save someone' if you believe in heaven etc...
 
Old 17-12-2004: 17th December 2004 17:44 #18 
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Originally Posted by habosh
I do selfless stuff,because I'm good

but then that feeds your ego, makes you feel good about yourself, thus making the act selfish even if only slightly...
 
Old 17-12-2004: 17th December 2004 17:48 #19 
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so what if you dont believe in heaven, its a spur of the moment decision and you kill yourself to help a small child live?
 
Old 17-12-2004: 17th December 2004 17:50 #20 
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Originally Posted by sublime_envy
so what if you dont believe in heaven, its a spur of the moment decision and you kill yourself to help a small child live?

maybe you're not thinking of the possibility of death.
 
 
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