If you were in a crowded room with one exit and a quickly, spreading fire started at the opposite end of the room forcing everyone to rush the exit, you would be shoving, stepping on top of people who have fallen or whatever it takes for you to get out of that room before it burns. Now, you can argue that you'd be a saint and calmly stay and help people out, but chances are, survival instinct will kick in and you'll say, "fuck everybody else, I'm getting out."
by Anonymous12 years ago
But what about the people who, instead of doing that, try helping and risk their lives?
by Anonymous12 years ago
They're helping others because it makes them feel good about themselves, which is selfish.
by Anonymous12 years ago
But how do you feel better about yourself if you die? Though this makes me think of that Friends episode where Phoebe is trying to find an unselfish deed and can't.
by Anonymous12 years ago
You'd be dying trying to safe another life. Being selfish isn't necessarily always a bad thing. When people think of someone being selfish, they usually think of some asshole who doesn't want to share or who gives himself a bigger piece of pie or something. But as far as my example goes, in a situation where there's no time to rationalize and think things through, people are going to try to save themselves.
by Anonymous12 years ago
Yeah, I don't disagree with you. I just think "selfish" has such a negative connotation.
by Anonymous12 years ago
Have you ever heard of Ayn Rand? She wrote about how people misunderstand the concept of selfishness, and how it's actually a virtue. It's actually pretty interesting, if you like reading check her out.
by Anonymous12 years ago
Hmm I have not heard of her, but I always enjoy new author suggestions. Sounds quite interesting.
by Anonymous12 years ago
Yes. That is the primary reason why things like common courtesy is no longer common. People are getting more selfish by the minute.
by Anonymous12 years ago
I disagree. At the beginning, there was no civilization and no morals, so people just worked to help themselves and sometimes their family. We've become less selfish since then.
by Anonymous12 years ago
Way to be technical.
by Anonymous12 years ago
If we're evolving to become inheritently less selfish, that doesn't explain why 50 years ago, things like holding the door for another person, walking an older person across the street, bringing cookies to the new neighbour was things of COMMON place and now, people couldn't give a shit about anything unless it concerns only THEM. In general.
by Anonymous12 years ago
Maybe we just have ups and downs then, because I agree with personthingy.
by Anonymous12 years ago
I think that people without kids are, but when it comes people with children (generally speaking), most would do anything (including sacrificing themselves).
by Anonymous12 years ago
Yeah, because its THEIR kids...
by Anonymous12 years ago
Yeah but you stop thinking about yourself and think of someone else.
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