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[–] Joe_McCarthy [S] 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
Doesn't seem particularly unique to Jews though. If one agrees with Schopenhauer (part Dutch as an aside) altruistic acts have a selfish motive if only in the good feeling one acquires in doing a good deed.
[–] Quaestorr 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago (edited ago)
Never knew that, thanks!
This is one of the core ideas of my personal Weltanschauung. (Btw Richard Dawkins (probably not popular in these circles — a pity imho) wrote interesting stuff on this in The Selfish Gene.)
Still, I think it is possible to come to an idealistic morality based on a Nietzschean utilitarianism, that in practice differs little from Christian virtue. (I refer to the Christianity that inspired the medieval poets and troubadours to compose stories and songs about heroic knights; the noble faith practiced by proud Europeans, Americans, South Africans — of course not the self-loathing cult that it has become today in most of the West).
[–] MetalAegis 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago (edited ago)
Not all, the story of Jesus Christ and ultimate sacrifice is one of altruism. In fact nearly all willing martyrs that have had a positive effect on society did so out of altruism. But your original point that something is never done for nothing, I can't refute that philosophical axiom because seemingly it speaks true, but anecdotally how many times have you offered to help someone and you really didn't want to, received nothing in return, not even that feeling of benevolence but you helped regardless?
[–] Joe_McCarthy [S] 0 points 2 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago
In my experience that usually occurs under some feeling of duress. In that case relief from duress is achieved. That is rather self-motivated.
I agree with you on Jesus. But he was no ordinary man. Martyrs achieved a good feeling in dying for God. In some cases they probably even went to their deaths knowing they'd be remembered gloriously.