Social Science Want

[PepeSilvia]

After understanding this:​

Psychological egoism is the view that humans are always motivated by self-interest, even in what seem to be acts of altruism.​

Discuss this:​

If a person is to make a choice from two or more options, the option chosen will always contain outcomes for which the person's want is stronger; i.e. the person only does something if they want to.​

• Do you agree with the second statement? (wording or meaning)
• Outside of sub-conscious thoughts, can you think of a situation in which the second statement is false?

Any other discussion of the above statements is welcome, I'm just interested to see if many people share my opinion on such philosophical topics.​

 

[Rusty22]

yes...ok

 

[Poseidon]

No, we will not do your homework for you.

 

[Bluelegs]

If you want something then that's what you want even if it's not in your best interests, you may still want it to be that way, no matter what it is. So whatever you want the most will be what you always choose.

For example: You may want a piece of cake but you also want to lose weight. Whatever you want more, cake or weight loss will be your choice.

Though you can't always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, well you just might find, you get what you need.

 

[PepeSilvia]

No, we will not do your homework for you.

Actually, I chose not to do Psychology this year. I was half-discussing the topic with my brother earlier and was wondering what other people thought about it. I find Psychology extremely interesting, but realised last year that Psychology at school was a bit too structured and didn't have enough discussion.

 

[Silent Alarm]

Yes. We do the things we want. I believe all 'good' is purely greedy as well. That's a part of our DNA. We do
'good' things because we feel it's the right thing to do, and doing the right things makes us a 'good' person – which we all strive for.

But if the outcome is good and charitable, there's no issue with it... in fact, it becomes a win win situation. It's like someone anonymously giving $5,000 to charity. They'll feel like a humble, good person, and the charity gets five grand.

 

[Magpira]

Though you can't always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, well you just might find, you get what you need.

You have inspired me to listen to Let it Bleed, so thanks

Anyways.. i guess it's just human nature to want what we can't have, as those things are always so much more appealing. BUT also it can be a case of "the chase is better than the catch" scenario, as sometimes when we are lucky enough to get what we've lusted after for so long... We discover that it's not that great after all

 

[BORK]

No, we will not do your homework for you.

Spot on. Not even the slightest effort to hide the copy/paste.

 

[PepeSilvia]

Spot on. Not even the slightest effort to hide the copy/paste.

Oh my bad, the first statement is the first sentence from the Wikipedia page about 'Psychological egoism'. The second, my own wording that I thought best explained the point. Feel free to actually discuss what I've posted or continue on being a ****, either way doesn't bother me.

 

[poweredup]

One would never choose to do something that they don't want to do unless they want the outcome another action provides.

eg; don't want to stay home Vs wants to go out and party - may choose to stay home because saving money, not having a hangover the next day etc is a more important want.

 

[Miqar_Baqfhied]

What about in war, people taking bullets and similar acts for other people to survive instead - many reccounts of such acts. Just take the massacre the other day in the cinema, boyfriends jumping on their girlfriends and taking bullets.

Amazingly there are people in this world that actually care about others around them

 

[poweredup]

What about in war, people taking bullets and similar acts for other people to survive instead - many reccounts of such acts. Just take the massacre the other day in the cinema, boyfriends jumping on their girlfriends and taking bullets.

Amazingly there are people in this world that actually care about others around them

Is it possible that the decision is still fuelled by a want, eg; they want that person to survive more than themselves / could not stand to live with the thought that they didn't do everything they could to save that person? Or could be that they just didn't think at all at it wasn't actually a decision that they made, just an impulse reaction?

 

[WeetBixKid]

Agree. Choosing something you don't want is incoherant.

 

[Geelong_Sicko]

If you want something then that's what you want even if it's not in your best interests, you may still want it to be that way, no matter what it is. So whatever you want the most will be what you always choose.

For example: You may want a piece of cake but you also want to lose weight. Whatever you want more, cake or weight loss will be your choice.

Though you can't always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, well you just might find, you get what you need.

What about a third option, an altruistic one? The two options you outlined are both self-serving, so what about a third option where you want the piece of cake but know someone else who wants it too?

 

[benneth]

What about in war, people taking bullets and similar acts for other people to survive instead - many reccounts of such acts. Just take the massacre the other day in the cinema, boyfriends jumping on their girlfriends and taking bullets.

Amazingly there are people in this world that actually care about others around them

Outside of subconcious thought, they do not want to see their loved one get hurt.

 

[Roobs321]

It could also be argued that transgender people more often than not are entirely selfless whilst in the closet, fulfilling a life that other people expect of them. They ultimately need to change the situation, or die, and might lose everything, but they can finally make an act of self-interest in their life. They want to live.

An action you want to do might entirely benefit another (ie. sacrifice), or maybe its a selfless action that no one is even remotely aware of. I think some of these decisions are more spontaneous and unconscious. In retrospect you might look back on it with some pride, but in the moment, it's probably down to your values.

I think it also depends on the person. Some people might habitually commit lots of altruistic actions without even thinking about, and not feel any better about themselves, but of the benefit for others. Other people will always feel self-centred in regards to their altruistic actions.

 

[WeetBixKid]

Two ways that it could be self serving - the obvious one is reciprocal altruism. The other is the idea that natural selection acts on groups, & altruistic groups have better survival rates than selfish groups. It's therefore wired into some people to act altrusitically. They want to act altruistically.

 

[poweredup]

Two ways that it could be self serving - the obvious one is reciprocal altruism. The other is the idea that natural selection acts on groups, & altruistic groups have better survival rates than selfish groups. It's therefore wired into some people to act altrusitically. They want to act altruistically.

exactly as ulitmately there is still a benefit to them in the decision that they make

 

[Miqar_Baqfhied]

Heavy

 

[Bluelegs]

What about a third option, an altruistic one? The two options you outlined are both self-serving, so what about a third option where you want the piece of cake but know someone else who wants it too?

It doesn't matter unless the want of both parties conflicts. In which case one person comes off without something they want, but that was not their choice.

 

[BORK]

Oh my bad, the first statement is the first sentence from the Wikipedia page about 'Psychological egoism'. The second, my own wording that I thought best explained the point. Feel free to actually discuss what I've posted or continue on being a ****, either way doesn't bother me.

Wow really hit nerve to the point that you resort to abuse. Well...
Your lack of posting history
Straight out look of "uni tutorial" in your opening post and,
The fact that your only contributions since have been you getting defensive over this rather than contributing more of your opinion

This is going to leave a few of us suspicious.

 

[PepeSilvia]

You're a bad troll. I just said that it didn't bother me.
How does being new have any relation to me copy/pasting?
So, the fact that I generally use good grammar and am able to form a sentence that properly explains my point must mean that I've stolen someone else's work?
You attacked, I defended. Why would I contribute my opinion when I was the one asking for other people's opinions?

I already said that I chose not to do Psychology this year at school... If you're reaaaaaaally interested I can show you my time table :3.

 

[BORK]

 

[Flawed Genius]

Thread bordered by "How much do you drink when you go out" and a thread about a 19 year old hurdler with a booty from heaven.

I think this belongs elsewhere.