|
|
Post by austinset on Apr 18, 2011 18:43:19 GMT -5
Think of ALL the things humanity does, It's all for THEIR own country and for THEIR gain, even if they do things like alliances they ONLY help that nation, the other nations can die for all they dcare, so ive been thinking and i think YES!
|
|
|
|
Post by gonzdara on Apr 19, 2011 20:27:21 GMT -5
This argument is essentially about moral altruism,
It is without doubt that some Humans will do things for others at the expence of themselves,
the question is wether those People do these things because they genuinly want to help people (unsulfish), or they just want to feel good about themselves (selfish).
Most People cant even awnser this question for themselves.
So I chose maybe
|
|
|
|
Post by Teutonic on Apr 22, 2011 6:06:46 GMT -5
It's actually a fairly interesting question, and one that the philosophy society at my school has discussed a few times, and there are piles of schools of thought on it.
Personally, I think that true altruism is very hard to come by. The best analogy I can come up with for this, is if a guy puts money into a charity bucket, it's very unlikely he's doing it because he genuinly wants to help said charity-It may be that he has been told he should, or that he wants to make a good impression to the girl collecting. Humanity by it's very nature to survive would appear to be selfish, and it's a noble and transcendant goal to seek an existance without it. However, in this case, I am fairly happy to side with Dawkins in that humanity has evolved to survive, and therefore will always put itself before the other, even if veiled. But it's only to an extent-it's impossible to see things in such black and white terms as yes and no-I'm going with maybe becasue frankly, it's impossible to know anything for certain when it comes to ethics.
|
|
|
|
Post by Kardas on Apr 28, 2011 10:02:09 GMT -5
You have a point. After all, Greed is one of our 7 deadly sins.
The selfishness probably dates back to more ancient times, when survival was a bit more difficult than it is now.
I can't really say yes however, as there may be exceptions to the rule
|
|
|
|
Post by Cantiliahantan on Jun 7, 2011 16:04:26 GMT -5
But honestly is it Really being selfish or just self-preservation?
|
|
|
|
Post by kyraina on Jun 7, 2011 18:27:26 GMT -5
we don't really now
|
|
|
|
Post by Cantiliahantan on Jun 8, 2011 23:26:49 GMT -5
thats my point! i belive that the point at wich slf preservation becomes selfesh ness is when there is really no need for self prservation but you are still doing it  |
|
|
|
Post by Cantiliahantan on Jun 8, 2011 23:52:31 GMT -5
and its not selfesh for a coutry thats call beinga patriot
|
|
|
|
Post by Neo Nibu on Jun 9, 2011 1:49:01 GMT -5
"They say that patriotism is the last refuge to which a scoundrel clings, steal a little and they throw you in jail. Steal a lot and they make you king."
|
|
|
|
Post by Kardas on Jun 9, 2011 3:23:30 GMT -5
Correct, patriotism can have a darker side. Justifying patriotism when taking unnecessary things is nothing more than corruption
|
|
|
|
Post by Cantiliahantan on Jun 9, 2011 18:09:30 GMT -5
right so... one country bombs the other the country that was bombed send its army in to invade the other country the other country then sends its army to combat the first army ...now both sides say that they are being patriotic ...but is in corrupt or selfish for the country who sent the bombs to send a in defense against the countrys army that whas bombed ..many would say yes thats not being a patriot thats just wroong and or corupt but for many of the people in the bombing countrys army they are just defending their lands PATRIOTICLY and of course to the persons in the army of the country that was bombed they are being patriots getting revenge in response to having their lands bombed ...yes thats slightly counter productive but no it doesnt mean patriotism is bad all it shows is that the people in the armys that are being patriotic do not represent the leader ship of the countrys to both sides they are both being patriots and that is a good thing to love and respect your country
|
|
|
|
Post by Neo Nibu on Jun 9, 2011 22:00:38 GMT -5
We weren't saying that patriotism in it's self is all bad, nothing wrong with pride for ones country, rather that it has been used to justify travestys and/or corrupt actions.
|
|
|
|
Post by Kardas on Jun 10, 2011 2:38:26 GMT -5
I think patriotism's fine as long as you don't harm others with it.
Plus, I didn't really mention this but when writing my previous post I was thinking on a personal level, not really a nationwide level.
Additionally, a nation can manipulate facts with patriotism in the interest. The most famous example is probably the Nazis' excuse for invading Poland (shot some people (prisoners if I'm not mistaken) and dressed them up in Polish military uniforms).
|
|
|
|
Post by Cantiliahantan on Jun 10, 2011 8:26:05 GMT -5
that is true but like any idea or belief it can twisted..like for instance in the country democratic government has been twisted..or in its short time on earth capitalism has done more damage that almoust anything else to humanity but it wasnt intended for that and is really a great idea but i think that the potential for selfishness is allways there but by instinct humans care for each other |
|
|
|
Post by kyraina on Jun 10, 2011 16:34:12 GMT -5
If no one is patriotic then who will be? if no one is selfish then who is? if no one is selfless then who will be? if no government is in place then who is in charge? these are question that need to be answer that there is no answer to.
|
|
