Originally posted by HalitoseThe skill set you develop (from empathy to dealing with grief) can be passed on to the community. Everybody benefits.
Hypothetically, you adopt an HIV-positive orphan from the local township. You raise/nurture the said child at great expense knowing it would probably die in 6-10 years.
Originally posted by Bosse de NageWe're talking about "nett personal benefit"...
The skill set you develop (from empathy to dealing with grief) can be passed on to the community. Everybody benefits.
Edit: Another example. You jump into a burning building to rescue a total stranger with the distinct possibility that you'd die trying.
Originally posted by HalitoseNo, it's in the instincts of every person, which tend to be fairly similar in most cases--unsurprisingly, since much of our moral behaviour is shared with animals.
So essentially you are saying that morality is in the eye of the beholder, where no action is objectively preferable to another?
Originally posted by Bosse de NageI've just given you examples where there were contrary "instincts". Are they decided by democratic vote?
No, it's in the instincts of every person, which tend to be fairly similar in most cases--unsurprisingly, since much of our moral behaviour is shared with animals.