Doing good "out of kindness"

[Eudaimonist]

And actually, just saying the above, I think it's possible to love someone and see their betterment without knowing how much my intended love has contributed to their betterment. There's altruism.

Well, maybe. I would see myself as having nourished my values as actualized in another person. So, another person's betterment would still be in some sense the creation (or nourishing) of my values, and I can't quite bring myself to view that as perfectly "selfless".


eudaimonia,

Mark

 

[Eudaimonist]

Basically your denial of the Self.

What do you regard as "Self"?

Reality has no parts; that is where you err.

I realize that distinctions are often mental line-drawing, which is why I had included the word "aspect".

In any case, if I were to say that: "It is sunny outside where I am", this is a truth. I'm not making a statement about the entire universe, or about all times, but given the context of my statement this is a truth.


eudaimonia,

Mark

 

[Received]

Well, maybe. I would see myself as having nourished my values as actualized in another person. So, another person's betterment would still be in some sense the creation (or nourishing) of my values, and I can't quite bring myself to view that as perfectly "selfless.

I don't think selflessness or selfishness has anything to do with whether or not the person simply benefited from the individual. It has to do with the intentions of the individual and how the rewards from this intention toward the other person pan out. Another way, I'm altruistic (or not) depending on how my intended actions regarding the other benefit me: if I can intend something without having my self being rewarded as a part of this intention, I'm altruistic; if otherwise, I'm egoistic.

 

[Eudaimonist]

I don't think selflessness or selfishness has anything to do with whether or not the person simply benefited from the individual.

I didn't mean to imply this. I agree with you on this point.

It has to do with the intentions of the individual and how the rewards from this intention toward the other person pan out.

What counts as a "reward", though?

Let's say that I value honesty, and I help an honest person because I love the honesty in that person -- honesty makes that person lovable to me -- I wonder if my reward can simply be that this person was helped. I would think so, even though I might be stretching the concept "reward", although if I can't do that, maybe the definition of egoism should be stretched instead.


eudaimonia,

Mark