What Is Selfishness?
analytical Essay
1699 words
Selfless acts of kindness are advertised as the only way service should be given. The need to make sure oneself is portrayed as “giving enough” to friends, family, and on social media look to be more of the focus than the actual act of service itself. Contrarily, selfishness gets a bad reputation as the “wrong” way to serve, and that those who are selfish are only thinking of themselves. People who think that selfishness 100% of the time shows as an unfavorable attribute to carry do not fully understand the importance of having some form of selfishness to further become a selfless person. Caring for oneself first allows for a person to more fully give all of one's energy, time, and resources to helping others. Understanding the world’s negative …show more content…
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how selfishness gets a bad reputation as the "wrong" way to serve. caring for oneself allows one to more fully give all of one's energy, time, and resources to helping others.
- Analyzes how the selfish attitude of expectancy that follows service acts after they are performed is nothing we are not used to, and the need for affirmation continues as a popular theme.
- Explains that a form of selfishness is the idea that people cannot try and serve others unless they focus on and take care of themselves first.
- Analyzes how people prioritize their paper because the deadline holds a higher value or significance, which brings up the conversation of who should compromise their time, or who has the most valuable time.
- Explains how one can become self-reliant by working diligently on budgeting, staying out of debt, taking school seriously, and attaining a stable job to support oneself.
- Explains that self-reliant people need to be conscious of what they eat, how much exercise they get, and how they sleep. selfishness does not always require association with narcissism.
John Johnson has this same idea of what he calls “good selfishness” and explains to readers that more advantages come to others, and ourselves, if we come fully prepared to serve with our personal problems taken care of, rather than halfway do a service job because we are worried about issues that do not pertain to the act of kindness (Johnson). People who are completely self-absorbed in their personal issues are not able to give their all for the service experience. Those receiving service may also feel an attitude of carelessness given off by the server, which can leave a bad taste in the recipient's mouth. Serving in any capacity is great, but proves hard for people who are receiving the service to detect any sincereness if one acts passively while serving. An example of this concept can clear up any confusion about this form of selfishness that is deemed as acceptable. If person A has a paper deadline for his final essay of his career due at noon, and person B comes over at 11:55 to ask for help with trying to figure out the problems of the copier, what is person A supposed to do? The “right” answer would be for person A to go help person B with the copier because that displays the selfless answer. Thinking of it from a different perspective though, person A’s paper should prioritize …show more content…
In order to become self-reliant in anything, one must act diligently selfish in doing and taking care of the issue to become fully independent of it. Larry Hiller wrote a talk over the importance of becoming self-reliant, he said, “The more self-reliant we are, the greater our ability to be an agent for good” (Hiller). Nothing will get done or change unless we first change ourselves. Getting all of the “kinks and knots” out of our system will allow us to give more selflessly once we are all straightened out. There are different aspects in which a person can become self-reliant in, but two substantial ones are financial independence and physical independence. To become financially self-reliant, a person needs to work on budgeting and staying out of debt. He would need to have self-control and remain patient while trying to get his bank account to a stable place. A person needs to take school seriously, and diligently study for his education, knowing that his education will lead him to a better life. Finally, striving to attain a stable job to support them self. After becoming comfortable with finances, then that person can now easily give money to charity, family members, or strangers without wondering if they will have money for gas. Becoming financially independent allows someone to showcase
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- When Light Pierced the Darkness by Nechama Tecanalytical essay... were outsiders may have contributed to their selfish, cowardly behavior. Thus, it is the individual who demonstrates a high degree of independence, a strong sense of duty where charity is concerned, and an ability to value every human life regardless of religion or ethnicity that will be most likely to selflessly aid people in distress. Conversely, it is the individual that lacks the aforementioned traits, who will be the least effective in assisting those in need.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how nechama tec asserts that people who aided jews during the nazi holocaust may have acted altruistically, but they did so under a modified definition.
- Explains tec's broad definition of altruism, which does not apply to people who saved jews because it doesn't take into account the tremendous amount of risk involved in their actions.
- Analyzes how tono brtko was not considered a rescuer because he didn't have any commitment to charity prior to the war nor during it. he was too selfish and embittered to notice anyone else in need.
- Analyzes how the actions of josef and marie cizek are examples of autonomous altruism, albeit reluctant. they exhibited some of tec's traits, including one, four, and five.
- Analyzes how kuchar and madame buky sacrificed the most for their noble deeds and exemplified autonomous altruism. they also exhibited tec's trait five, " an unplanned beginning to rescue efforts".
- Analyzes how imro kuchar exemplifies autonomous altruism as well as traits two, four, five, and six in the film shop on main street.
- Analyzes how tono did not fit in with the rest of the townsfolk and was not respected by his family or neighbors. madame buky, from cold days, possessed all of tec's traits except for the third.
- Analyzes how horst prochazka, while never acting altruistically, does exhibit tec's traits one and five. the film europa europa is based on the true story of solomon perel, a polish jew who escaped destruction during the holocaust.
3069 wordsRead More - Summary Of Susan Wolf The Meanings Of Livesopinion essayEven forms of human beings preforming selfless acts derives from ones desire to help others, which in a way makes that person feel importance. Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, better known as Mother Teresa, devoted her life to helping those in great need. To many these acts may appear as selfless and gallant acts that are not performed by anyone with any type of ego. Yet when taking a psychological look at why she performed such acts they may appear a somewhat more for herself. Every time anyone does anything, even when for someone else, they are doing it for some type of feeling that they experience. With the holiday season approaching, there will be a specific emphasis on giving unlike any other time of the year. We give yes to show gratitude for someone we love, but also to experience the joy in seeing someone enjoy something they them self-caused. Even while being selfless humans have the unique ability to still be doing something that involves caring for them self. This outlook toward the human condition completely debunks Wolf’s claim that “when caring about yourself you are living as if you are the center of the universe.” When choosing to do anything positive or negative, for others or for yourself, you are still taking your self-interest into consideration, making it
In this essay, the author
- Opines that susan wolf's most widely debated and questioned assertion in the meanings of lives is "if you care about yourself you're living as if you’re the center of the universe, which is false."
- Opines that wolf's the meaning of lives argues a number of comprehensive viewpoints about an individual’s life in the grand scheme of their existence.
- Argues that every man, woman and child is entitled to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. thomas jefferson, along with americas other founding fathers, realized the need for a stride toward individual joy while living under tyrannous conditions of great britain.
- Analyzes how wolf's claim that caring about oneself means they believe they are the center of the universe isn't fully grasping all the positives that arise from individuals striving for personal greatness.
- Opines that although we are a microscopic spec in the grand scheme, people can still change the world. wolf's assertion that no one should put their self-interest ahead of others was held true by all.
- Opines that human beings should not be forced to put the greater good ahead of their own life.
- Opines that the united states of america was found upon the principle of the pursuit of happiness, which is in direct contradiction to wolf's claim that if we care about our self, we are in the wrong.
1345 wordsRead More - Selfishness is the Key to Happiness Accordirng to Harry Browneanalytical essaySelfishness is a term fairly notorious for its meaning. A lot of people accept that being selfish is wrong, but no one knows how this came about and why it matters. Who has the right to decide whether someone gets to be selfish or not? In his article “The unselfishness Trap”, Harry Browne says that the best way for people to be happy is when if everyone sacrifices but me. Thomas Nagel, on the other hand, argues in his article “The Objective Basis of Morality” that being concerned about others is more important. Being selfish, for many people, is evil. By definition, selfishness is to be more concerned about yourself than others, but that would essentially make every living human being a “selfish” being.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that selfishness is a term notorious for its meaning, but no one knows how it came about and why it matters.
- Explains that selfishness is the key to happiness, according to browne. people are told that they must sacrifice their own happiness for others, to be "good" and "truly happy".
- Analyzes how nagel argues that morality should be derived from a direct concern for others.
- Analyzes nagel's argument that if people could understand how someone else feels, they would avoid doing something resentful.
- Analyzes how selfishness has earned a negative connotation over the years.
- Argues that people aren't using the real meaning of selfishness. browne believes that if everyone sacrificed their happiness for another person, no one would be happy.
1199 wordsRead More - Altruism and Service: Personal Experiencesexplanatory essayThere are many definitions for the term altruism, and each definition describes different ways individuals think about the relevance of one’s behavior. Some individuals have argued that altruism has nothing to do with an individual performing an act of kindness or good will toward others. In fact, there are many who argue that it is impossible for altruism to exist. The reason is because; they believe that when people perform an act of kindness they also have an alternative motive, whether it is to feel good about themselves, to receive something in return or ...
In this essay, the author
- Explains that for one to understand the concept and meaning of the word altruism, he or she must be able to comprehend the meaning and concept of egoist, morals, and ethics. each term represents one’s desire to do what is ethical.
- Explains that altruism means showing concern for the well-being of others, whether the act is big or small.
- Explains that there are many definitions for the term altruism, and each definition describes different ways individuals think about the relevance of one’s behavior.
- Describes five occasions when they perform an act of kindness to help someone.
- Narrates how their family owned a tire shop business and sold used tires to customers at an affordable price. when they saw the wire coming out of her tires and saw her children in the back seat, their heart broke for her.
- Describes how their husband helped a stranded man in the midst of the storm.
- Narrates how they decided to feed the homeless on a beautiful sunny day, when they noticed three homeless men sitting on the stoop in front of the shelter. they went to the grocery store and purchased hot dogs, napkins, and paper plates.
- Describes how they decided to take a chance and make home since they only lived two blocks away from the store. the woman begged them to get out of their car but they refused.
- Narrates how they lost one of their sons and decided to resign from their job because of the emotional stress they were under.
- Narrates how their pastor called their husband and he told them to wait and walk out with him. the entire congregation was standing outside holding hands and shouting surprise, we love you, and welcome back.
- Explains that altruism is about helping others in need, and hogg and vaughan (2008) believe that it involves a part of prosocial behavior.
- Explains that altruism can be understood as part of an evolution that individual inherit from their parents at an early age.
- Agrees with psychologists who argue that most individuals who perform an act of altruism have alternative motives, whether the act is to make the person feel good about himself or to receive a pat on the back.
- Concludes that they have discussed and provided five scenarios describing several occasions in which they performed a good deed to help another individual.
1643 wordsRead More - Grant And Dutton's Influence On Good Behaviorexplanatory essayThis led Grant and Dutton to observe three main things. The first being reciprocity; A sense of obligation to help that person who helped us and reflect on what we have received from the person. The second, is a feeling of dependency and shame in reflecting on what we have received from others. Finally, short-term emotional behavior. Researchers wondered if thinking about the times when we gave something to others might be more effective in promoting aid. Therefore, both researchers hope to find and hope that in reflecting on the granting of benefits to other people will produce a greater increase in prosocial behavior.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that grant and dutton carried out the study beneficiary and benefactor because they wanted to understand how reflecting and expressing in writing in journals can influence good behavior.
- Explains grants and dutton's hypothesis that giving could lead a person to see himself as benefactor and strengthen his identity. the dependent variables were the number of hourly calls made by each fundraiser during the two weeks of pretest and protest.
- Explains that when a person reflects on giving experiences, rather than receiving, they are more likely to improve their prosocial behavior toward others.
- Explains that the study carried out has good external validity. giving, receiving, volunteering, and helping are everyday social behavior.
948 wordsRead More - Virtue ethics IAanalytical essayWhen applying it to our daily lives we see that we are more likely to deem a person ‘good’ or ‘generous’ if they spared their time to go and work with displaced people from war struck regions of the world out of compassion and the need to give back to the society, as oppose to those who go only because they feel it is their duty.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that virtue ethics is one of three major approaches in normative ethics. it emphasizes virtues, or moral character, in contrast to deontology or consequentialism.
- Opines that virtue ethics has many advantages as well as valid disadvantages, and that it is their duty to make the reader have a pleasant reading experience.
- Argues that virtue ethics fails to offer a solution to specific moral dilemmas, as it can't be applied as one would wish it to be.
- Explains that many people in our society at present are non-virtuous people, but we realize that they are useful, as without them life would be dull and streamlined.
- Analyzes how virtue ethics praise some virtues that may be seen as immoral, such as soldiers fighting unjust wars, but that does not make them morally good. louden points out that a person who may seem virtuous on the outside may not necessarily have good motives.
- Opines that aristotle's golden mean does not apply to all virtues. it emphasizes on pleasure and emotion, thus allowing us to enjoy acting virtuously.
- Explains that virtue ethics does not force us to follow a particular formula to know what we should be doing. it understands the need to distinguish good people from legalists.
- Explains that we are more likely to deem a person ‘good’ or ‘generous’ if they spare their time to go and work with displaced people from war struck regions of the world out of compassion and the need to give back to the society.
796 wordsRead More - College Admissions Essay: Social Responsibilityanalytical essayIf everyone, including me, could only grasp the real meaning of all that could be accomplished with this attitude, the world could be a better place. But pictures of utopia are easier pained than lived, to coordinate this would be impossible, to be this selfless is difficult. Still, the fact remains that so much could be accomplished if everyone could just do a little. For many, however, this is just too much and they continue on through life as social parasites, sucking their existence from those who sacrifice for the good of all.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the lyrics communicate a principle that can help in our daily lives with those around us: selflessness.
- Opines that utopia could be achieved if everyone could just do a little, but many continue on as social parasites, sucking their existence from those who sacrifice for the good of all.
282 wordsRead More - Analysis: The Virtue Of Selfishnessanalytical essayThe Chinese Philosopher and originator of Taoism, Lao Tzu, once said, “Treat those who are good with goodness, and also treat those who are not good with goodness. Thus goodness is attained.” This, precisely, is where mankind derives what it means to be good. In a culture where goodness is often defined vaguely, there is a sort of universality attributed to the virtues of compassion and integrity. Compassion is the quality of love and mercy for fellow man, a merit that works in accord with integrity, one’s unfaltering commitment to their innate morality. To be stated briefly, if one is to walk the road of life, these values in tow, the brand of goodness will surely follow.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that in a culture where goodness is often defined vaguely, there is universality attributed to the virtues of compassion and integrity.
- Analyzes how tenzin gyatso, the fourteenth dalai lama, supports the view that kindness ultimately results in good people in "compassion and the individual."
- Analyzes how the story of dirk willems, a dutch anabaptist martyr, shines with what it means to truly be compassionate and have integrity.
- Analyzes the character of job, a man of great wealth and tremendous faith. satan, in conversation with god, challenges that job would be little the honorable man he was at that time.
- Analyzes how ayn rand's "the virtue of selfishness" views selfless virtues as in opposition to the pursuit of happiness.
- Explains that goodness is rooted in the refusal to deny our instinctual morality. anyone could reasonably help another when there is money, popularity, or any other benefit to be derived, but when this is not the case, there exists integrity.
1119 wordsRead More - Religiously Selfishanalytical essayMany people rely heavily upon religion daily. They use it as a source of reasoning, as an explanation for hardships or struggles they may be facing. However, many people only seem to rely upon religion when they feel they need outside support. Hemingway addresses the idea of religion many times in his novel “A Farewell to Arms.” However, Hemingway’s examples contrast with each other, demonstrating his belief that the majority of people seem to use religion only when timely for them.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how hemingway addresses the idea of religion many times in his novel "a farewell to arms." his examples contrast with each other, demonstrating his belief that the majority of people seem to use religion only when timely for them.
- Explains that religion can be used to explain events that one cannot rationalize or understand. hemingway describes how fred's companion, passini, turned to higher-powers for help when he was in great pain.
- Analyzes how hemingway demonstrates this through the actions of the soldiers when frederick is dining with them.
- Analyzes how hemingway shows that it is selfish and immoral to look to higher-powers only when convenient to oneself, as demonstrated through the words of passini, rinaldi and the major.
610 wordsRead More - Essay On Orthodontismexplanatory essayThere has always been a predominant belief in my household that it is important to help others- whether it be volunteering at a food pantry or just keep an elderly neighbor company when no one else is around to do so. The main takeaway from this was that one couldn’t receive good in their life if they never gave any. I have been more eager to follow this through, not necessarily in the spirit of receiving some good in return, but because it gave me a good feeling to know that I was impacting someone’s life in a positive manner. I wanted to be able to foster this feeling and incorporate it into my everyday life, so I could carry that feeling with me wherever I go.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that a person's goals can usually be tied back to the values they obtain in life, such as money, success, family, etc. a goal i carry with utmost importance is an aspiration to help others.
- Opines that one can't receive good in their life if they never give. they wanted to be able to foster this feeling and incorporate it into their everyday life.
- Describes how they felt limited by the lack of opportunities in their community, but made due with what they had. they volunteer their extra time to tutor other students who didn't understand the material.
- Narrates how they moved from a low-morale urban area to an active, higher-income suburb before high school. they were overjoyed by the amount of clubs and opportunities they had to get involved in.
- Opines that they would like to expand this idea of helping others into their career by becoming an orthodontist.
- Describes how dr. neal laroia's warm, inviting smile made them realize they wanted to be an orthodontist like him.
- Describes how they saw dr. neal more often than their family members, and saw how giving the profession of orthodontics is.
- Opines that it is important for an orthodontist to have collegiate training, as they don't trust anyone without a license to take care of their teeth.
- Explains that they will utilize their college experience to immerse themselves into campus life and contribute to the campus with their ambition and passion for giving.
- Opines that programs like the pre-dental club and college mentors for kids make mizzou stand out from other prospective schools and make them eager to become a tiger.
1078 wordsRead More