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Tollorin
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01 Aug 2014, 7:58 pm

An article that suggest not only that the theory of humans only acting in their self-interests is devoid of reality, but also that it's a self-fulfilling prophecy.
http://faculty-gsb.stanford.edu/millerd/docs/1999amerpsyc.html

It made me think that aspergers seeming more empathic that NTs, may be simply that aspergers tend to less follow social rules.



LoveNotHate
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01 Aug 2014, 11:49 pm

Not mentioned in the cited document is that in psychology it is called "psychological egoism"

"Psychological egoism is the view that humans are always motivated by self-interest, even in what seem to be acts of altruism".
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychological_egoism

However, I believe in the concept. I think the brain seeks satisfaction, and our "self-interests" are efforts to satisfy the brain. For example, someone gives money to a stranger, because it affects part of the brain to generate a satisfying signal of feeling good for being a charitable person.



Tollorin
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02 Aug 2014, 6:17 am

LoveNotHate wrote:
Not mentioned in the cited document is that in psychology it is called "psychological egoism"

"Psychological egoism is the view that humans are always motivated by self-interest, even in what seem to be acts of altruism".
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychological_egoism

However, I believe in the concept. I think the brain seeks satisfaction, and our "self-interests" are efforts to satisfy the brain. For example, someone gives money to a stranger, because it affects part of the brain to generate a satisfying signal of feeling good for being a charitable person.

The Daniel Baston studies suggest that the reason someone give money to a stranger is because he care about the stranger. http://www.globaldashboard.org/2011/02/17/the-uses-and-abuses-of-altruism/



ZenDen
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05 Aug 2014, 4:52 pm

I just watched a program called "Brain Games" where they showed that people receiving compassion tended to give compassion.

They didn't address the conflict between compassion and self interest however.

But if you're a saint or sinner you will certainly follow what you've learned to be true. How could it be otherwise?

It comes down to what you put inside your head; either by the will of others or by your own conscious choice. :)



Ann2011
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05 Aug 2014, 11:06 pm

I tend to think that we act in self-interest. We're biological and survival of our species has necessitated group work (like mammoth hunting) in order to sustain our population and grow. Compassion is necessary for this, so chemically we are predisposed to act this way. It's an evolutionary strength.