Note : The opinions expressed in this post are purely from the mind of the author. No research has been done online or offline on this topic, though some bits and pieces are from the author's debate on the same topic at his college.
Selfish - Adj. Concerned chiefly or only with yourself.
There's no one is this world who isn't selfish, even if it's in a very small way. When I heard this statement from my English professor at college, I was shocked at first, then realized he was right, and then after deeper thinking, realized he was wrong, and thus tried to prove him wrong. Now I'm not sure who is right.
Consider this argument - If a person is truly selfless, the person should be a very benevolent & altruistic one. But why exactly are benevolent people, well, benevolent? They gain some satisfaction and sometimes even some sort of respect from others. So people are kind because they get satisfied by being so. Thus it can considered selfish, ergo there are no truly selfless people in this world.
And then consider this - Look at the meaning of Selfish. It says in the dictionary that being selfish is being concerned ONLY with one's self. An altruistic person is concerned not only about himself/herself, but also concerned about others. So technically speaking, it's not selfish.
So what do you think? Is anyone truly selfless?
Though at certain points mind-boggling, you (Tantrix)have in your comment mentioned something which is quite true. The question cannot be answered in words. Is there something beyond? That, I do not know, but wish to find out. But doesn't everyone?
ReplyDeleteGerry, you are a true realist.
Sunny, you have shaken me from my deep slumber. Shaken, not stirred.
Yeah, I remember that episode Rads... it comes in Season 5 I think, after Ross & Emily get married under troubled circumstances. Something to do with Sesame street...