Originally posted by twhitehead It depends on your interest rates and what other options the person had. The fact that you are lending money as an individual suggests that your are helping someone do something they couldn't have done with banks or a credit card.
Fine .. but I would also add that altriusm implies that the giver's motive is the welfare of the recipient. Sometimes those who give may have an ulterior motive like publicity or favours/payback in kind [not saying that about Karoly]. In such a case that is not altruism.
Originally posted by karoly aczel I dont care if it's watered down.
I justed wanted to see what you guys thought-if there were the same amount of what I term "cynics" out there than there is out here on the streets.
unselfish regard for the welfare of others; taking actions that benefit another/others at one's own expense. This is the textbook def. of altruism. I'd say you exhibit some of those qualities.
Originally posted by karoly aczel Only one cousellor ever recognized my altruistic trends and how they got me into trouble a lot.
I act like that because "love thy enemies", "give to those less fortunate" and also to learn my own lessons.
But sometimes altruism is just stupidity in action (ie. I've leant a lot of money which I knew was never going to get back to me, amongst other things)
Science does not know what True Altruism is.
False religion struggles to understand what it is.
There are 4 types of Altruism.
1. Altruism in the mode of ignorance.
2. Altruism in the mode of passion.
3. Altruism in the mode of goodness.
4. But actually there is true Altruism which is above these 3 modes and in the transcendental position.
Altruism in the transcendental position is taught by the Vedic religious process and it is the only Altruism worth embracing.
Originally posted by karoly aczel You just cant help but turn every thread into promoting your agenda, can ya?
Oh well, you aint the only only one 😉
There is only one true agenda for human-kind and that is spiritual realization of self and God.
The purpose of this human life is not to act like the dogs and cats but to utilize our superior intelligence and become God conscious.
No other purpose is given to the human life.
This is why everything we do must culminate in serving this purpose only or our lives are completely wasted on temporary material pursuits which all end in death..
Also if you keep count of how many favours you've done for people this also waters down "true" altruism.
I myself REALLY have no idea of how much I have recieved and how much I have given. It might be 50/50 or as much as 80/20 (either way!!).
But considering I live below the poverty line I dont think it matters that much.
(Below the poverty line here is like a well paid job ,in say, the Ukraine, so I'm rich and poor 😀 ) Bit confusing if you start to add stuff up-better just to ask for what you need and give to those that need stuff that you've got and dont need.
Keep doing that and the businesses that 'don't matter' will fail . (I'd better stop here🙂 )
Altruism
11 Sep '11 20:27
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