Suppose, for example, I slice my wrists just to prove that point.  Haven't I, albeit inadvertently, sabotaged my goal?\n\nIn other words, can we truly do anything that does not have some selfish underlying motive?
124071
Even if someone were to perform a self-sacrifice for someone else, with the exception of suicide, you could look at it as selfish, as it would still reap benefits for the sacrificer: that good feeling you get from helping other people.\n\nOther than self-sacrificial acts, there is always some benefit, even if whatever is being done is being done for the benefit of someone else. Say for instance, I took you out for ice cream. It would make you feel good, but I would get some ice cream also, so it COULD be considered selfish.\n\nI suppose not.
577717
No, you would have been considered evil if you had cut someone else-on purpose.  \nDid you cut yourself on purpose or by accident?\nHave you done this before?\nwhat made you want to do it?\nMaybe you are just curious about that stuff.  It is not healthy to cut yourself so you should seek help if this becomes or is already a habit.  \nYou are not insane or you would not have enough sense to address this issue or even worry that you may be endangering your self and your morals.
632728
Makes me wonder though if there are more civilized ways of reaching that kind of a goal???
109787
I'm with you. It's not just saying it but actually getting the message across the recipient that you mean it. Sometimes just talking and explaining why the mistake was unintentionally done and a show of remorse will usually warrant forgiveness.
57835
I don't lie, I steal only when I need to (long story, don't ask), I never killed anyone, I haven't killed myself (yet), and I help people whenever I get the chance. I even put a stranger's needs before my own...\n\n... does this make me worthy? I think so, but, not much...
609611
sure  but not the same way that the "world" does.  \nWe shouldn't do anything that leads us into temptation.
9940
Okay, I won't say just do it.  But I'm a procrastinator at heart but I find that even though I want to put things off I know that once I get started I will do what needs to be done and usually go on to do a bunch of other things.  If I don't start it won't get done.  It's just that simple.  I don't know if there is any actual cure for it.
641447
I'm sure free will exists , but for many people the responsibility of having to make their own choices is too much , that would mean accepting the results and consequences.  So many people use the " fate" clause for this , to have something to blame .\nWe all have free will , no one can make us do, say, think , feel anything unless we make a conscious decision to
328435
yep,  and yep.\n or you could just call it self preservation.
76064
Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?"\n\n\n--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
73623
This is more of a cynical than logical answer.  It is important if proving the invalidity of (whatever) benefits your own (whatever).
39276
you've got your answer..actions speak louder than words!!!!\nDon't make a fool of yourself....
143511
Just to throw it out there...\n    "As selfish as it sounds, I would betray my friend for any feasible reason." Throughout history, it has been demonstrated that any person is capable of betraying their most personal companion. It is with this in mind that I assume the inherent evil in all persons; with this assumption, it is reasonable to treat all "friends" as a potential enemy- given the incentive, they will break the deepest bonds.\n\n-Just a start, but if this is anywhere near where you're trying to go with the essay, I can modify with ease.
383627
Yes change is possible. Change is also a possiblity when we decide to change for ourselves first, not when somebody else insists that we do it for their sake.
246465
If you are motivated by the promise of Paradise or fear the depths of hell you are missing the point and don't understand. If you understand what is right and moral you do those things because it is the good of all and it brings joy alone away from fear and promise.\nI would rather my girlfriend to love me because she wants too not because I promised her I would buy her something if she did. Likewise I want her not to cheat on me because she doesn't want to; not because I will leave her if she does. Doing good is knowledge of the good thing, do not need motivation or fear to do it.  When you truly understand you do it for yourself
409691
No that has never happened to me.\n\nWhat do you mean by "I would also like to hear from those who may have done this to someone else."\n\nDid you not do it all to yourself?
65827
Thats a good question, but maybe too philosophical. It´s really just an urge. Perhaps, the question is: can an urge not be selfish? When you have an altruistic impulse, you´re really simply trying to satisfy yout own urge. Let me explain better: let´s say you donate money. Even if you do it privately, aren´t you really satisfying a need to feel good about yourself, or maybe, to ease a guilty conscience.\nTaking it a step further, a social biologist, would argue that, even very altruistic deeds, e.g. if you risk/ lose your life to save others (specially kids or women), it still is a very selfish act. The idea is that, since we share so many genes, there might acctually be a better chance of perpetuating your own genes (not the physical dna but the information) by sacrificing yourself and saving a child or a child factory (aka womb).\nThis also idea explains and justifies the urge to save wild animals like lions or apes (but not geckos), their genes are, in large, the same as ours own. Which come down to saying that even tree huggers are kind of selfish. \nSo chillout.