Selflessness And Selflessness

Philosophers have debated for centuries the question “Are humans are selfish or selfless?” There are two main arguments for debating human nature, ethical egoists and ethical altruists. Ethical egoists believe that “even though we can act in others’ interests because we are concerned for others, we ought always to act in our own interest” (Solomon et al 2012 p. 460). Ethical altruists believe quite the opposite; ethical altruism is the belief that “people ought to act with each other’s interests in mind” (Solomon et al 2012 p. 461). In discussing the four theories, psychological egoism, psychological altruism, ethical egoism, and ethical altruism, with my husband, there was not a clear dividing line for whether humans are selfish or selfless in nature. After much debate, we concluded that humans are born ethical egoists; however, ethical altruists are made through proper training, care, and nurture.

    Integrity it is not just performing an act of kindness, but the morals you stand behind when you do do the act. The level of honesty, the willingness to do what is right and moral commitments all these add up to equal the level of integrity you hold yourself to. I do not think I have performed, the level of integrity that this quote is talking about, but I have

Growing up, I took every opportunity given to me to help those around me. I aided the homeless at the early age of 8 alongside my mom. Helping boost homeless women and children self-esteem by participating in clothing, food, and school supply giveaways. Beginning at the age of 13, during Sunday services I would watch the younger kids in the nursery changing their diapers, entertain, making sure that they were safe and well taken care of. I also have volunteered at the libraries in the Newton County area efficiently shelving books.

"Nearly every moment of every day we have the opportunity to give something to someone else - our time, our love, our resources. I have always found more joy in giving when I did not expect anything in return." --- S. Truett Cathy, Chic-Fil-A founder

I wasn’t aware of the importance of doing good for others, until recently that I witnessed it with my own eyes. It all started when was at Chicago, a random man helped out a homeless man and bought him some food. I noticed as I was in line that the cashier then gave the helping man a free choice to pick something he wanted due to the action he did. After that day I began to make an attempt at helping out more and being a better person in general.

Another example of how altruism can be viewed in today’s society can be seen in the works of Mother Teresa and her plethora of altruistic acts throughout the globe. Although her focus was in India where she persued her novitiate (training), her organization has opened over 500 centers around the world helping the dying and the destitute (Moore 2002, pg. x). She took in the “untouchables” of society and gave them care and made sure that they were comfortable. Mother Teresa is often used as the benchmark when determining whether a selfless act is truly altruistic.

Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth. ― Muhammad Ali. Being successful doesn't make you great, but helping other does. In the fictional story, “Abuela Invents the Zero,” by Judith Ortiz Cofer illustrates the idea of helping and caring others through the story of Constancia(Connie) and Abuela(Grandmother). In a brief overview, Abuela comes from Puerto Rico to visit her family for the first time to the U.S.. Abuela decides to go to the church this Sunday while deciding to take Connie with her. While in the church, Abuela gets lost and Connie fells humiliates by the way she acts in the church, but later learns but later learns from her mother the importance of her Abuela and the impact she had on her life and that you should highly respect and help others when in need of help because if it wasn't for them she wouldn’t be there.

I admire the way Dorothy took the negative situations in her life and allowed so much goodness to come forth. Seeing the poverty prevalent in the world and losing a spouse is enough to discourage anyone, but Dorothy remained faithful to God despite the loss of her marriage, and she used her heartbreaking images of the poor as a motivator to do all that she could to assist them. As much as I believe the poor deserve more in life and need help, I have not taken the same hands-on approach that Dorothy had. While I donate money, food, and clothes whenever possible, I have not done anything directly related to those in need, such as volunteering in a soup kitchen. With that in mind, Dorothy’s dedication and hands-on approach to the poor is deeply inspiring to me, and it has called on me to reflect on my own life. Prior to my research, I had heard of Dorothy Day and I knew of her work with the poor; however, I was not aware of Dorothy’s personal story and the extent to which she worked to assist those in need. Dorothy has encouraged me to realize how important it is to help wherever we can for those who need

My mom is a perfect example of this because she is one of the most unselfish people that I know. She is constantly putting others first, especially her family. She makes sure we have food on the table, clothes on our back, roof over our head, and a good source of education. She's always trying to make sure that we're at our happiest. While I was growing up, she made sure to involve herself in some of my activities. She used to help with IBL basketball and would help teach younger girls how to play. She also served for our youth group and has helped shaped me and the rest of my friends into the strong Christian woman we are today. Something she has done more recently has been a project called RAK'd. RAK'd stands for random acts of kindness. She'd take time out of her day to put together a little goodie bag and give it to someone who she thought needed it or deserved it. The best part about it was she did everything anonymously. Well, I guess it isn't anonymous anymore because I just told you, but it's the thought that

When someone is clearly in need of help you would think people would rush to their aide and help. We’ve seen and heard plenty of stories of people helping others in danger risking their lives. But what about those stories where people just stand by and watch as someone is clearly in need of help. This articles tells of such stories. On March 13, 1964 at 3 a.m., 28-year old Catherine (Kitty) Genovese was returning home to her apartment from work in Kew Gardens, Queens when she was attacked by Winston Mosely. She was raped and stab more than 12 times over a 35-minute time span. As she screamed for help lights in the nearby apartments turned on. People looked out but no one came to help her. More than half of her neighbors heard her pleas for

It was a seemingly ordinary California night—warm and peaceful— as I turned a corner and walked down a street of makeshift tents, the only place hundreds of men, women, and children could call their homes. The smell of alcohol and trash was overpowering. Used needles and garbage were everywhere. People picked through the trash searching for anything that could keep them alive. The street was eerily quiet as everyone kept to themselves. These people were suffering, and I could not bear to watch any longer.

“Get out of my way!”, Miranda screeched as she pushed the kind girl over. Miranda Vanderweele is the most menace person you could possibly meet. She never helped anyone, anything, including her community, or even herself. Everyone in Paradise, Arizona had a normal life except for poor Miranda. Her life was surely no walk in Times square, on an exquisite, breezy fall night with her magnificent family, that she did not have. She lived in a cottage that was beyond dingy, rotten, and had a nearly deadly, revolting stench coming from the dumpsters that she lives beside. Miranda had no family, that she liked anyway. Miranda lived with her great aunt, Bailey. Sounds like such a beautiful, kind, and

In my lifetime, many experiences have changed my character, with the most memorable being the mission trip I took to Parmelee, South Dakota. This endeavor showed me how to be caring and love everyone, despite their circumstances. Although it took time, I learned to show kindness to everyone and not just the people I feel comfortable around. During my missions work, one child revealed to me how to be compassionate to people who may not deserve it, and to give to other unconditionally.

An excellent literary example from this year of someone selfless is Gatsby himself. Being selfless means doing everything for the happiness of others rather than yourself. Jay Gatsby does everything for Daisy and when she realizes that “She didn’t like it… she didn’t have a good time” his happiness is crushed (Fitzgerald 109). When we see the people we love feeling sad, we tend to also feel sad. This is why I want to be someone who is always positive and working for others happiness. Gatsby rests his entire american dream on Daisy, and when she doesn’t live up to his expectations “A faint doubt occurr[s] to him as to the quality of his present happiness.” (Fitzgerald 95) Everything Gatsby has ever done has been for Daisy, so he is heartbroken when she isn’t the golden girl she once was. My American Dream is a little less dramatic, but I still want to be selfless. Rather than focusing on one person I want to make happy, I want to focus on a whole group of people; Individuals with Special Needs. My goal is to make their lives amazing by helping them reach their full potential. The smiles that I can put on their faces, and the joy I can put in their hearts, that is the true reward for the heard work I can put into this

“Nothing ever goes my way!” we, as teenagers, sometimes like to think. I, myself have been caught thinking this same way when I desire something, whether it be a tangible item, or a chance to hangout with some friends. Upon completing my senior project, my eyes were wide open. I have always been aware that there are homeless and impoverished people in Sacramento, but witnessing a large number of less fortunate children in one setting, whom all feel that “having a little” is the way of life was a bit appalling to me. There isn’t much that I could have done for the children financially, but I do feel that I left an impression on some of the children’s hearts.