I have a theory on what is everyones constant alterier motive. always.

I believe that the ego in a person controles everything. I do not believe that when a man does good to others - seemingly with no gain for himself - that it is not egosentric. We wish to do good things to others, totally "unselfish" things. Why do we wish so? Well, we want to feel better. When we do something "unselfish" we feel good, we feel unselfish. People comment it and everything is just better. The root of all actions are selfishness, the love of the ego. We wish to please ourself, either by doing actions to promote ourselves or by promoting others so that we can feel good about it.

This might be a bit on the edge example, but I will try anyway:
When an old poor women gives allmost all of her money to the church, charity or the better cause - is she infact unselfish? I would say no. I would say that this woman has found her own way of satisfying her ego. She gets a kick, a pleasing out of helping others. Simply giving away money pleases her more, and we all must please our ego for it is the root of all, than using them on herself.

Any oponions on this?

Sounds very Nietzschean to me, with a little Dostoyevsky influence thrown in on top.

Ulterior? :rolleyes:

(I'm norwegian)

Still funny.


Philosophizing about "alterior". Heh heh heh...

Heh.

I think "alterior" is the comparative form of alter, altera, alterum in latin.

It would mean "more second/another".
Hmmm. Doesn't make too much sense in English.

It's silly, but, in a certain case, it seems like "alterior" is fairly close to "ulterior"... when used in Latin, that is.

"Ulterior" means "higher" or "more absolute"...

... but, when describing, motives, it could be replaced with "alterior", deignating a motive that is "more another".


A motive that is not what it seems?

Da Duh Daaah


The Romans would've probably laughed at me. :rolleyes:

I think you are right on the money,mariusring. Charity is selfishness, and promotes dependence. Self-interest is what motivates us, however we may disguise it as self-lessness.

I saw a tv show or a movie that had this exact same argument made as the story line... I wish I could remember what it was right now.

I would like to know why you guys think selfishness is considered wrong and what is the distinction between being selfish and greediness?

I saw a tv show or a movie that had this exact same argument made as the story line... I wish I could remember what it was right now.

Friends maybe?

This is no different than the idea that no action is altruistic. At the very root of selflessness, still remains the pleasing of the ego.

Scrollmaker, I'd say the distinction would be that somebody who is selfish doesn't necessarily want more than what they have. They just do not want any less.

friends sounds like it could be right