The Psychology Behind Human Selfishness

While numerous people claim to be men of selfless character, the human race has never been alluded to for its outstanding and gallant nobleness. Truth be told, when an individual finds him or herself in a precarious situation, selfish thoughts instinctively kick in as part of automated survival predispositions—which the human race has been equipped with since prehistoric periods—and the only prevailing priority is the wellbeing of that individual referred to as “myself”. The reason why it is important to be aware of these impulses, these inexorable imperfections that may impair mankind’s ability to mutually benefit from each other, is so that these won’t cloud one’s mind and work against one’s purpose. Therefore the question, having humans improved since survival-centered instincts were a requirement, why must personal hazard still lead to the undermining of other´s safety and the upholding of one´s own? Because, truthfully, anyone who has ever had the blessing of being acquainted to a person who will trip and candidly ask a bypasser from the floor, “Are you alright?” is blessed with a thousand accolades for knowing an angel—this type of behavior is not characteristic to humankind.

When people see themselves directly threatened by a relevant source of danger, the first thought that ensues upon them is that they must find a way to rid themselves of this exposure to menace. On September 29th, 2009, “Frantz Cadet, 48, a political refugee from Haiti” who “used his unwitting children, wife and lovers to victimize his church in a fake hate-mail campaign” was given a two-year prison sentence (Green 1) due to this selfish action that, at first glance, may

seem to originate from nowhere else than a misanthropic character, plausibly erect...

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... not limited solely to one´s own will, but it is extended the favoring of the beloved over the hated. To rid oneself of this selfishness would be virtually impossible, for a human heart is attracted by different people in different ways and may find a way to love everyone “differently,” yet never equally. Hope is the key which will lead to believing selflessly that all will eventually sort itself out for oneself if one focuses primarily upon ensuring his/her neighbor´s wellbeing. Either way, the origin of a man´s decisions and their nature are not to be

found through logic—they are a matter of opinion—for optimism and negativity are the true factors which will influence how a man judges another because the world in which mankind was placed is a world made up of opposites, and this is what makes it possible to, in every man, find both a selfish and selfless heart.