I Am a Curious Person

I believe altruism is meaningless .
People generally do not want to share .
The few who do are exploited by the population .
So what's the point in sharing ?
We can't expect others to do the same thing.

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Kumaji

As said by Charlie Chaplin in 'The Great Dictator':

"We all want to help one another. Human beings are like that. We want to live by each other’s happiness - not by each other’s misery. We don’t want to hate and despise one another. In this world there is room for everyone. And the good earth is rich and can provide for everyone. The way of life can be free and beautiful, but we have lost the way.

Greed has poisoned men’s souls, has barricaded the world with hate, has goose-stepped us into misery and bloodshed. We have developed speed, but we have shut ourselves in. Machinery that gives abundance has left us in want. Our knowledge has made us cynical. Our cleverness, hard and unkind. We think too much and feel too little. More than machinery we need humanity. More than cleverness we need kindness and gentleness. Without these qualities, life will be violent and all will be lost...."

nautilusX · 31-35, M

I know its true. But its a hard to hold on to such ideas when real life is so tough.
We are compelled to compete to survive. In a rat race the end justifies the means .

Kumaji

It's difficult to keep noble gestures at the forefront of our minds when so much negativity is constantly pumped down our throats.

oONodokaOo

I've been thinking about this question recently... In my view, you will benefit from acting kindly towards people if you don't think about any form of "gain" that could result from these actions, other than to try to make people happy. I guess it's all about genuine selflessness!
Also, sometimes it's nice to be reminded that you can't have control over people's reactions, but you can control yours, and your actions, too! So eventually, the choice is yours to make.

nautilusX · 31-35, M

Mostly even if you help everyone a lot , you are most likely to be blamed for something in the end. Everyone is thankful for favours for a short time but soon forget it.
The givers keep on giving and takers keep on taking.
How can that be fair?

oONodokaOo

Unfortunately, you can't predict nor control people's reactions...that's why I usually act with no expectations prevent me from feeling hurt. But you can always analyse people's reactions when you help them, and act from what you concluded (because there are fair and unfair people, and nobody likes to be fooled). Is it worth it? To me, it is!

TheGreatLeveler

The problem of apparent altruism is that most people have selfish motives. To them, the point of sharing is to receive something in return. This could be anything as simple as a sign of appreciation, respect or perhaps even friendship. I'm unsure if there's such a thing as true altruism. It tends to be the opposite of another theory; psychological egoism.

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FebruaryAsh

Could be, but also, that still can't be a bad thing, since by your argument, people are selfish 24/7.

nautilusX · 31-35, M

But what of the Buddhist altruism. I don't find any expectation of reciprocation there. In many philosophies its the norm to be altruistic irrespective of rewards.

nautilusX · 31-35, M

Maybe it is . When egoism dies another realm of consciousness opens up.

TheLostRanger

Those people who are altruistic do it because they want to or are made that way, if they are exploited then that is the failing of the exploiter not the giver.
If I give it's because I want to give , I don't expect any return ( I don't think I am altruistic by any means btw) at the same time I wouldn't exploit the generosity of others.

nautilusX · 31-35, M

True. Neither would I but not all think so. It is hard to accept when people don't reciprocate your kindness. We tend to think that everyone feels like us. But when you don't see them helping anyone , it makes you the question the very meaning in continuing to be altruistic .

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