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Being selfish isn’t evil.
The Unsolvable Paradox Of Altruism
What’s In It For You?
Being selfish is so last season (insert sarcastic hair flip)
In philosophical discussions, the notion of selflessness often emerges as a proof of moral virtue. We praise those who perform acts of kindness without expecting anything in return and label them as altruistic.
Altruism has been a trending buzzword for many generations. FYI: If you have not read The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand — it is a very interesting peek into an assortment of characters with varying levels of altruism at their core. The book is from the 1940s so be patient with the pace.
The whole buzz around the concept of altruism had me baffled for years because I always found it ironic when someone claimed to be an altruistic person. That’s sort of the same as when someone says they are humble in an ironic moment of self-praise.
What is altruism?
According to the dictionary by Oxford Languages here is the definition of altruism.
al·tru·ism
The belief in or practice of disinterested and selfless concern for the well-being of others.
What’s in it for you?
But when you zoom in and look closely at good deeds, it starts to seem like the idea of a “selfless act” is a myth. In reality, every action, no matter how it may appear, is inevitably rooted in self-interest.
Human beings are driven by their desires and needs. Even when engaging in acts of apparent selflessness, people are guided by what they have learned to be right or wrong.
Even when there are no obvious benefits to the giver, a good deed often results in a sense of gratification or validation.
Consider the volunteer who dedicates countless hours to charitable causes. While their actions may benefit others, they also get personal satisfaction from the sense of purpose and meaning that volunteering brings. Thus, their seemingly selfless act is, in essence, a means of fulfilling their own psychological needs.
