Altruism

[Volya]

Jesus was not only human, He was also God. Since He was without sin, He was able to die for the sin of mankind.

I don't really believe in THAT version of Jesus.
However I think that even if he was not the son of God, he was probably still a very altruistic person, since much of the Bible must be based on true events of Jesus helping others.

[cacian]

Jesus was not only human, He was also God. Since He was without sin, He was able to die for the sin of mankind.

You mean he was killed then died.

[Quatermain]

This thread drifted off-topic at a fairly impressive rate.

As far as altruism goes, I don't think people are capable of pure altruism. I think that people can have an altruistic strain to their motives, to a greater or lesser degree depending on the circumstance and the person. But I don't think it's ever the only or even primary motivation.

[cacian]

This thread drifted off-topic at a fairly impressive rate.

As far as altruism goes, I don't think people are capable of pure altruism. I think that people can have an altruistic strain to their motives, to a greater or lesser degree depending on the circumstance and the person. But I don't think it's ever the only or even primary motivation.

Ah it is all about instinct and how one human looks at another.
It is natural to be kind and fortuit towards one another. It is part of our biological self to try and get on by promoting kind gestures towards each other because we live together on this earth.

[Quatermain]

Ah it is all about instinct and how one human looks at another.
It is natural to be kind and fortuit towards one another. It is part of our biological self to try and get on by promoting kind gestures towards each other because we live together on this earth.

What are you, new to this planet? That's not at all how it works here. The selfless gesture and act of kindness is the exception, not the rule.

[cacian]

What are you, new to this planet? That's not at all how it works here. The selfless gesture and act of kindness is the exception, not the rule.

I am no new to this planet but I can assure you there nice people around it is just a question of being aware of it.
Not all are monsters like in movies or books.
You are not the only one who has had bad time remember.All of us have had our share and we still do but it does not stop us from being nice or decent. Decent poeple exist.

[Quatermain]

I am no new to this planet but I can assure you there nice people around it is just a question of being aware of it.
Not all are monsters like in movies or books. You are not the only one who has had bad time remember.All of us have had our share and we still do but it does not stop us from being nice or decent. Decent poeple exist.

I wasn't asserting that decent people don't exist. I was countering your absurd claim that being kind and "fortuit"(?) was the natural state of humanity, as well as being some sort of biological imperative. Even the most cursory acquaintance with history should be enough to belie that notion.

[Volya]

I've found that people are more likely to be bad than good. When I encounter a stranger, very rarely do I find that they are nice, accepting people.

[Shevek]

I've found that people are more likely to be bad than good. When I encounter a stranger, very rarely do I find that they are nice, accepting people.

Does not being nice or accepting mean they are bad?

[Volya]

In general, yes.

[Paulclem]

In general, yes.

I think that living in a city, you have to adopt a certain indifference - unless something happens around you. Imagine the problems getting to work - or school - if you knew everyone in the city in the same way that peope in a village know each other.

I don't think this indifference is necessarily bad - we've all probably experienced the kindness of strangers.

[Desolation]

In general, yes.

I used to feel that way too...Now, I'm not so sure.

Looking around at the world, I think it's easy to jump on the "Everyone is an *******" train, and I can't really blame anyone for feeling that way. But, I don't think it does enough to address the fact that there are really, truly, abysmally terrible people in the world who actually do very bad things, and that the vast majority of the people you meet on the street do NOT fall into that category. To some extent, pushing all the strangers who might not be as friendly as you'd like them to be under the umbrella of "Bad People" even trivializes the fact that some seriously ****ed up people are out there doing seriously ****ed up things.

Besides, when you meet a stranger, you don't really know what their life is like...You don't know the panorama of circumstances that has lead them to that moment. Life is hard on everyone, after all, and there's always the possibility that they are going through a really rough time, or even just a mildly annoying day, and don't really feel like stopping and making jovial chit-chat.

So, that's all to say, most people really aren't as bad as we tend to make them out. I think most are basically good and innocent, actually.

[Clopin]

There are a lot of *******s walking around who are just made that way by stupidity. They should be pitied I guess.

[Shevek]

I think that living in a city, you have to adopt a certain indifference - unless something happens around you. Imagine the problems getting to work - or school - if you knew everyone in the city in the same way that peope in a village know each other.

I don't think this indifference is necessarily bad - we've all probably experienced the kindness of strangers.

Yeah. That they aren't warm and accepting the second you meet them is not a basis to judge anyone. I don't really like talking to strangers who approach me on the street because I'm usually trying to get to the bus on time. And at the bus stop, quite frankly I don't want to know strangers' opinions on how hot/cold/rainy it is outside. I already know.

[cacian]

I've found that people are more likely to be bad than good. When I encounter a stranger, very rarely do I find that they are nice, accepting people.

What is your definition of bad and what is a stranger?
Bad is a variant of many things.
Getting to know someone is nice. Ignoring somoene because they are different for example is bad.