Altruism ~ Nature or Nurture?

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Come on. Enough with that dodge. Of course you can define something that doesn't exist.
What you cannot honestly do is claim something doesn't exist that you haven't defined. That is just an vacuous meaningless claim.

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Saying that altruism doesn't exist, and now asking me to forget the word altruism, doesn't detract from the reality that altruism is alive and kicking.

I can only repeat, 'even when' there is an element of self interest or self gratification, an act that puts others first still qualifies as an act of altruism.

I would go further and say that altruism lies at the very heart of Christianity and that the bible is full of teachings that instruct you to live your life this way.

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Suppose that biological evolution has seen to it that the motivation for acting with the benefit of others chiefly in mind (this I'll call altruism) is reinforced by little squirts of pleasure-producing hormones in the brain of the actor, and the actor knows this. Evolution does things like that.

("Yes, I enjoy helping people who are in need. So what?" )

Does this cost the actor or others their right to label the act as being altruistic?

(Again, the response is, "So what?" )

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Asked and answered. It's like you're slow. Nothing wrong with that, but you should own it.

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"Do you think there is no self interest in looking after your own children?"

It can be in one's self interest in "looking after"your own children - if looking after tending to their well-being - even if they are not your own in the biological sense.

Today we have blended families and of course, adoption.

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Yes it is an explanation of my claim, complete with an opportunity for you to explain your angst. I'm convinced now you have no point worthy of being examined.

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I think you are assuming that the parent's interests are in some sense of the word, "acceptable" -- and who gets to decide this?

We have laws against child abuse. The purpose of those laws is to persuade parents who need persuading, that it is not in their self interest to abuse their child. These laws are not in place everywhere they are needed.

Originally posted by JS357
I think you are assuming that the parent's interests are in some sense of the word, "acceptable" -- and who gets to decide this?

I think what he is trying to say (although he is obviously reluctant to spell it out) is that whatever you do will be motivated and anything you do that is motivated is in your 'self interest'.
So if you decide to commit suicide, that is 'self interest' by his definition.