11 Jul 08
I've just been to give blood, I do so regularly (14 times in the last 8 years), and my work colleague jokingly said I only do it to get out of the office for an hour (the National Blood Service come to our office every 4 months I think).
This got me thinking, do I actually do it for that reason? In the UK, you don't get paid to give blood, it's purely voluntary (you do get a cup of tea & some biscuits at the end though!).
My girlfriend works once a month in the local Amnesty International bookshop, but even there she gets some vouchers worth £4 (about $8 USD) to use at supermarkets for her time.
In a world where time is now most definitely money, is there really still such a thing as 'the selfless act'?
11 Jul 08
Originally posted by GoatboysrevengeI am quite sure that there are people who do selfless acts every day. In your case remove all the benefits of giving blood and ask yourself if you will still do it -
I've just been to give blood, I do so regularly (14 times in the last 8 years), and my work colleague jokingly said I only do it to get out of the office for an hour (the National Blood Service come to our office every 4 months I think).
This got me thinking, do I actually do it for that reason? In the UK, you don't get paid to give blood, it's pu ...[text shortened]... ime is now most definitely money, is there really still such a thing as 'the selfless act'?
- no time off
- no tea and biscuits
- your office buddies dont know of your donation
- nobody knows of your donation, not even the nurses.
- you cant tell anyone.
Would you still do it?
11 Jul 08
Originally posted by GoatboysrevengeThe U.S. servicemen fighting the War on Terror perform selfless acts every day, as do policemen and firemen. Also, what about parents who jump in to save a drowning child, or would you define these as "heroic" acts?
I've just been to give blood, I do so regularly (14 times in the last 8 years), and my work colleague jokingly said I only do it to get out of the office for an hour (the National Blood Service come to our office every 4 months I think).
This got me thinking, do I actually do it for that reason? In the UK, you don't get paid to give blood, it's pu ...[text shortened]... ime is now most definitely money, is there really still such a thing as 'the selfless act'?
11 Jul 08
Originally posted by Rajk999I'm not sure how I would do it without the nurses! 😕
I am quite sure that there are people who do selfless acts every day. In your case remove all the benefits of giving blood and ask yourself if you will still do it -
- no time off
- no tea and biscuits
- your office buddies dont know of your donation
- nobody knows of your donation, not even the nurses.
- you cant tell anyone.
Would you still do it?
As for the time off thing, I've given blood in my own spare time before, I used to do it on Sunday afternoons when I fisrt started giving, so that would be OK with me.
No tea & biscuits isn't really a biggie either, though they recommend you have them, something to do with blood sugar levels. As is not telling people about it, as unless someone asks, I don't tell.
So verall, I think I would...
11 Jul 08
Originally posted by der schwarze RitterMilitary personnel, Policeman & Fireman all get paid, it's their job.
The U.S. servicemen fighting the War on Terror perform selfless acts every day, as do policemen and firemen. Also, what about parents who jump in to save a drowning child, or would you define these as "heroic" acts?
I think there is a difference between 'heroic' and 'selfless', a selfless act does not necessarily have to be dangerous, whereas a heroic act usually is.
11 Jul 08
Originally posted by GoatboysrevengeI bet the tea and the biscuits are tremendously good.
I've just been to give blood, I do so regularly (14 times in the last 8 years), and my work colleague jokingly said I only do it to get out of the office for an hour (the National Blood Service come to our office every 4 months I think).
This got me thinking, do I actually do it for that reason? In the UK, you don't get paid to give blood, it's pu ...[text shortened]... ime is now most definitely money, is there really still such a thing as 'the selfless act'?
😛
11 Jul 08
Originally posted by GoatboysrevengeNext time, do it on a weekend and you can sleep again at night.
I've just been to give blood, I do so regularly (14 times in the last 8 years), and my work colleague jokingly said I only do it to get out of the office for an hour (the National Blood Service come to our office every 4 months I think).
This got me thinking, do I actually do it for that reason? In the UK, you don't get paid to give blood, it's pu ...[text shortened]... ime is now most definitely money, is there really still such a thing as 'the selfless act'?
Oh.
11 Jul 08
1 edit
The post that was quoted here has been removedA soldier throwing himself on top of a grenade to save his companions.
Go!
Edit - Seriously. It's irrelevant whether we have a genetic imprint that leads us to acts of altruism. If you save others by killing yourself, it's still an act of altruism even if in the long-run the species benefits.
Altruism is defined as a form of behaviour of the individual, hence it only makes sense to define it relative to the lack of his personal benefit.
11 Jul 08
1 edit
Saint Thomas said once (with far more elaborated words than I can use) that humans do not choose between right and wrong, but between different kinds of right.
Even when killing or doing something morally or legally punishable, humans are seeking some kind of good, and such goal starts from their own good.
11 Jul 08
Originally posted by der schwarze RitterUS servicemen are paid for there time, read rajk999's post for the definition of selfless
The U.S. servicemen fighting the War on Terror perform selfless acts every day, as do policemen and firemen. Also, what about parents who jump in to save a drowning child, or would you define these as "heroic" acts?
11 Jul 08
Originally posted by duecerHave you noticed that if you are in a crowd of strangers and somebody drops the stuff they are carrying that everyone, without thinking, helps them pick the stuff up.
US servicemen are paid for there time, read rajk999's post for the definition of selfless
Simple, automatic and totally selfless. It separates us from the animals.
11 Jul 08
Originally posted by GoatboysrevengeThere is no such thing as a selfless act. The only reason why people help one another is for the simple fact that they get something out of it. Sometimes what they get is monetary compensation otherwise what is accomplished from these acts advances ones position somehow.
I've just been to give blood, I do so regularly (14 times in the last 8 years), and my work colleague jokingly said I only do it to get out of the office for an hour (the National Blood Service come to our office every 4 months I think).
This got me thinking, do I actually do it for that reason? In the UK, you don't get paid to give blood, it's pu ...[text shortened]... ime is now most definitely money, is there really still such a thing as 'the selfless act'?
For example, politicians are always volunteering because it improves their image in the eyes of the public. Other people volunteer for self-satisfaction or a sense of purpose. Even Mother Theresa did it to get a better position in heaven.
So there are no such thing as altruistic acts my friend. You gain something from every action.