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The self interest of generosity

Posted: Wed Jul 12, 2017 11:23 am
by Simple Minded
https://www.seeker.com/health/mind/happ ... -the-brain

No surprise here. As I have often said, the most generous people I know are all motivated by self-interest. Being generous makes them feel good.

Re: The self interest of generosity

Posted: Wed Jul 12, 2017 5:26 pm
by Typhoon
A cynic once observed that without the suffering masses, altruists would be unemployed.

Re: The self interest of generosity

Posted: Wed Jul 12, 2017 8:44 pm
by Nonc Hilaire
Simple Minded wrote:https://www.seeker.com/health/mind/happ ... -the-brain

No surprise here. As I have often said, the most generous people I know are all motivated by self-interest. Being generous makes them feel good.
The NPO sector calls this enlightened self-interest. People who can coordinate generosity with self-interest make the best volunteers because they stick around and they work harder. The 'pure' altruists tend to become resentful or just flake off.

Re: The self interest of generosity

Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2017 11:58 am
by Simple Minded
Typhoon wrote:A cynic once observed that without the suffering masses, altruists would be unemployed.
The old saw about using one hand to hold someone down so you can use the other hand to help them up comes to mind.

Re: The self interest of generosity

Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2017 12:08 pm
by Simple Minded
Nonc Hilaire wrote:
Simple Minded wrote:https://www.seeker.com/health/mind/happ ... -the-brain

No surprise here. As I have often said, the most generous people I know are all motivated by self-interest. Being generous makes them feel good.
The NPO sector calls this enlightened self-interest. People who can coordinate generosity with self-interest make the best volunteers because they stick around and they work harder. The 'pure' altruists tend to become resentful or just flake off.
You picked the perfect word, resentment.

I still recall the philosophy class lecture about riˈzentmənt "Without a sense of appreciation or gratitude, happiness is impossible."

Makes sense. How does a "selfless individual" maintain their sense of self-esteem? Thru the eyes of "their" chosen audience?

“There was no such person as Mrs. Wayne Wilmot; there was only a shell containing the opinions of her friends....."

No matter how much you do or give, someone in the Peanut Gallery can always ask for more....

Re: The self interest of generosity

Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2017 4:28 am
by noddy
its hard work making other people think you are as amazing as you think you are, it can be quite tiring.

bitterness is a wonderful escape route, easy to achieve and uplifting in its removal of the burden.

Re: The self interest of generosity

Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2017 11:53 am
by Simple Minded
noddy wrote:its hard work making other people think you are as amazing as you think you are, it can be quite tiring.

bitterness is a wonderful escape route, easy to achieve and uplifting in its removal of the burden.
I've come so far, yet have so much to learn...... :(

Once again, my master, I am humbled by your accurate assessment of the human condition. I am not worthy, but thankful, nonetheless. ;)

Alternating between "Hey listen up you inferior sots, I'm telling how to not be more like me and not so f**ked up!" and "Wow! You people don't accept me as your moral and intellectual superior? Your'e all a bunch of racists!" is probably a necessary strategy for maintaining one's mental health! ;)