Altruism

[Headless Rat]

Is there really no such thing as a purely altruistic act?

One of my colleagues said that it has been proven.

Surely it's a subjective matter and depends onth person who is carrying out the act?

[El D]

Well to me stevie that is obvious - if he did not want to save his comrades, he would not act. Since he desires to save them, and this desire is stronger than any possible objection he might have, he is gaining more pleasure from saving his comrades than dying himself. He defines himself as the type of person who would die to save his comrades and upholding this self-image, as well as no doubt saving his mates, provides the greatest pleasure. It is theoretically a selfish act and it is motivated by pleasure. We must move away from the idea of pleasure as a specific indulgence, it is rather a catch all definition for positive feelings.I suppose technically you could flip the coin and say he was moving away from the greatest pain, which to him was his friends dying, but the principle that this was self-motivated remains. I reiterate - people always act in their own self-interest.