by Susan K.
Member since:
April 25, 2007

Pondering ... this question ...

August 15, 2008 11:05 PM EDT
views: 67 | comments: 25
Do we ultimately always act out of self interest?
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Comments: 25

Sharon B. Aug 15, 2008, 11:14pm EDT
Many people do, but there are a lot of us that think of others first.
Marilyn M. Aug 15, 2008, 11:22pm EDT
I think it depends upon how one was raised.
Risa G. Aug 15, 2008, 11:28pm EDT
I try to think of others first, doesn't always happen.
Marianne R. Aug 15, 2008, 11:33pm EDT
I think to some extent, yes. Meaning that we at least consider the benefit to ourselves in many situations.
Slyphian M Aug 15, 2008, 11:33pm EDT
Yes, people always act out of self interest on some level. Even acts that appear altruistic bring some measure of satisfaction or other reward to the giver.
Karen W. Aug 15, 2008, 11:40pm EDT
I was raised Catholic, which plays into this question directly for me. I always end up in really bad situations because I do not say no. I have helped others to my own detriment. I don't think that is what God ment. But I cannot answer for others.
Steph-in-NE ..... Aug 16, 2008, 12:34am EDT
not sure,,, I alway thought other come first....
Jurpe {awallflower} Aug 16, 2008, 12:48am EDT
I agree with the person above, it depends on how we were raised, plus our enviroment.
Rebecca [Future Teacher] Aug 16, 2008, 8:31am EDT
Not always. If you have a child who needs to attend a special school or get away from the pollution because of illness, then your acting in their best interest, even though it would mean losing your job.
Sue * Aug 16, 2008, 9:48am EDT
I think that we might until we "grow up" and have others we are responsible for. It is pretty hard to put yourself first, if you are a parent.
Apryl Just Apryl Aug 16, 2008, 10:02am EDT
No, I don't think that way at all, I believe the are many selfless people in the world. I've been blessed to know a few.
Sharon P. Aug 16, 2008, 3:35pm EDT
Not always. Many people go out of their way to help total strangers.
Gretchen Lee Bourquin Aug 16, 2008, 4:03pm EDT
There was a "Friends" episode with this theme. The argument was that yu always get something in return for helping someone-- even if it is just warm fuzzies.
Nyota *Star* Aug 17, 2008, 3:10pm EDT
I don't think so. I like to do good things just to feel good. I guess that can be included as doing something with selfish intent, though.
Robert M Aug 17, 2008, 9:16pm EDT
I don't think so. I like to think I ultimately make the right decisions and that may mean putting someone elses needs above my own.
Chris E. Aug 17, 2008, 9:52pm EDT
I agree with Marianne.
Shelbia C. Aug 18, 2008, 5:23am EDT
I find it hard to act out of self interest a lot of the time even though there are many times when I really want to. I always find myself putting others first. I don't know if that is always a good thing.
Andrea (Ms. Conservative) L. Aug 19, 2008, 3:27pm EDT
Yes
Ryan M. Nov 16, 2008, 11:45pm EST
I think so.
paying it forward
Elizabeth S. Dec 11, 2008, 4:41pm EST
I think we often act without thinking about things. Sometimes we can rationalize it as being in our self-interests or giving to others. It takes a lot of brain power to always be advancing ourselves.
APE 131313 Jan 6, 2009, 3:04pm EST
Thank you for the opportunity to visit your pages and P I F for 2009!
Felicia R. Jan 9, 2009, 4:20am EST
Hello :o),

I just wanted to stop by since I am finally going through what is now listed as under 5,200 pieces of gather new mail that is sitting in my inbox on here.

With that mentioned I just came across either a mailing from you yourself, or someone else brought this piece to my attention. You or they felt that your creation should be shared with the gather community, which I am very glad that it was passed on to me to view. So I wanted to say Thank you for taking the time out of your busy day to publish it here on gather for us to all view. :o)

As well before I leave you I wanted to wish you a Happy New Year... in 2009 :o)

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