How to know if you're being selfish (and whether or not that's bad) - Mark Hopwood
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Date: 2024-01-23
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Comments and reviews: 12
derkaiser420
I remember studying this in college. I think that individually all humans are selfish. It is only natural for us to survive. Especially when it comes to our basic survival instinct. However, when we are put into social structures, we are not selfish. Especially when it comes to your family for most people (there are exceptions. Most people would give their lives to protect their families especially their children. Again, this is survival instinct that we need our children to survive to keep our species going. Humans are not that different from other animals. We think we are biologically unique but we aren't.
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I remember studying this in college. I think that individually all humans are selfish. It is only natural for us to survive. Especially when it comes to our basic survival instinct. However, when we are put into social structures, we are not selfish. Especially when it comes to your family for most people (there are exceptions. Most people would give their lives to protect their families especially their children. Again, this is survival instinct that we need our children to survive to keep our species going. Humans are not that different from other animals. We think we are biologically unique but we aren't.
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pinkaxolotl5260
Wow I am so early also, I think you can’t say you’re being selfish by doing something that you want while sort of like a little bit sacrificing somebody else’s like time let’s say instead of spending time with them you do something for yourself I think that doesn’t count as selfishness I think there’s a difference between being selfish like self love it would be selfish if you say oh I wanna hang out with you like you made plans but then instead of hanging out with them you went and just do you know had some alone time
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Wow I am so early also, I think you can’t say you’re being selfish by doing something that you want while sort of like a little bit sacrificing somebody else’s like time let’s say instead of spending time with them you do something for yourself I think that doesn’t count as selfishness I think there’s a difference between being selfish like self love it would be selfish if you say oh I wanna hang out with you like you made plans but then instead of hanging out with them you went and just do you know had some alone time
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LordOrion3000
Humans are genetically engineered to be selfish. We want tasty foods like the cupcake for ourselves first so we (back during the prehistoric era) could have more chances of survival. That is why we also crave attention and love due to us being social animals. And this helped us survive as a species and grow. So selfishness, i believe, isn't inherently bad. Helping other in complete goodwill is also technically selfishness as somewhere inside we seek self approval and survival of our species as whole. What do you think
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Humans are genetically engineered to be selfish. We want tasty foods like the cupcake for ourselves first so we (back during the prehistoric era) could have more chances of survival. That is why we also crave attention and love due to us being social animals. And this helped us survive as a species and grow. So selfishness, i believe, isn't inherently bad. Helping other in complete goodwill is also technically selfishness as somewhere inside we seek self approval and survival of our species as whole. What do you think
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ted_ed
During my childhood, I was basically supported by my mother alone. My father did provide some support, but it didn't compare to my mother's. Because of that, I didn't have many things growing up, and, whenever I got something, primarily toys, I would be guard them zealously. If I were told to share, I would argue why should I share the very few things that I could call mine. To this day, I still behave like that in regards that I tend to be extremely protective of my personal property.
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During my childhood, I was basically supported by my mother alone. My father did provide some support, but it didn't compare to my mother's. Because of that, I didn't have many things growing up, and, whenever I got something, primarily toys, I would be guard them zealously. If I were told to share, I would argue why should I share the very few things that I could call mine. To this day, I still behave like that in regards that I tend to be extremely protective of my personal property.
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iciclefreeze8389
In my opinion, one should always prioritize his own needs and wants but without hurting others because each person is responsible for his own happiness but this doesn't mean that you should not be kind or generous far from that. In fact, it's this form of selflessness that makes you the most fulfilled as a person. But to sum it up I'd say what I always said: the best way to be selfish is to be selfless
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In my opinion, one should always prioritize his own needs and wants but without hurting others because each person is responsible for his own happiness but this doesn't mean that you should not be kind or generous far from that. In fact, it's this form of selflessness that makes you the most fulfilled as a person. But to sum it up I'd say what I always said: the best way to be selfish is to be selfless
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soltersortna
The problem with the cupcake example is that no one actually cares if you take the last cupcake. It’s not selfish at all, but just perceived to be for no practical reason. I see it more like a problem of managing anxiety than moral responsibility. My depression makes me anxious about all sorts of silly unreasonable things like that, which I should really just ignore. Just eat the cupcake!
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The problem with the cupcake example is that no one actually cares if you take the last cupcake. It’s not selfish at all, but just perceived to be for no practical reason. I see it more like a problem of managing anxiety than moral responsibility. My depression makes me anxious about all sorts of silly unreasonable things like that, which I should really just ignore. Just eat the cupcake!
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ted_ed
Being selfish is a moral failure. It’s certainly praised and pushed as great thing in the USA, especially by conservatives.
You look at where the USA is today - the bottom of the barrel - blame it on ignorance and selfishness.
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Being selfish is a moral failure. It’s certainly praised and pushed as great thing in the USA, especially by conservatives.
You look at where the USA is today - the bottom of the barrel - blame it on ignorance and selfishness.
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ted_ed
i don't think it actually matters why you did something good. if you donated millions to charity because you just want to feel good and heroic, you still donated millions to charity.
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i don't think it actually matters why you did something good. if you donated millions to charity because you just want to feel good and heroic, you still donated millions to charity.
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sunflower823
Im only selfish when it comes to sharing my stuff with my siblings. My family describes me as a selfish person but honestly its because I chose to be that way around them.
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Im only selfish when it comes to sharing my stuff with my siblings. My family describes me as a selfish person but honestly its because I chose to be that way around them.
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ted_ed
Selfishness: Choosing your own needs over your family, team, or communities needs.
Is selfishness bad Only if you ever need help from your family, team, or community.
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Selfishness: Choosing your own needs over your family, team, or communities needs.
Is selfishness bad Only if you ever need help from your family, team, or community.
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ThrillSeeker3524
Even Batman agreed we all deserve to be a little selfish once in a while. Also that jaywalking is never acceptable and to always fasten your seatbelt
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Even Batman agreed we all deserve to be a little selfish once in a while. Also that jaywalking is never acceptable and to always fasten your seatbelt
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ordinarryalien
People who ask themselves if they are selfish are probably not selfish. And people who are selfish probably will not watch this video.
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People who ask themselves if they are selfish are probably not selfish. And people who are selfish probably will not watch this video.
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