08 Jan 10
Originally posted by EcstremeVenomYou're alright in my book.
im not telling god that im going to be a bad person if he doesnt bless me lol. its actually the opposite. god chose for some reason beyond me (maybe because he had foreseen that id be a good person) to bless me with an extremely high level of intelligence and a child prodigy-like artistic ability. before i ever had the chance to decide to be a good or ...[text shortened]... on my car because of a stupid mistake i made. well, at least i HAVE a job in this economy."
When I drop something on my foot I say "Thank you God" instead of "*&?#",like I used to. It took a bit of practice but now I realize that every dent in my ego is part of Gods plan.
09 Jan 10
Originally posted by EcstremeVenomnobody does good without a reward of SOME sort. i want to do good things because it makes me feel good about myself, that's my reward.
EVERYONE, christian or not does good things because some way, somehow, they are rewarded at the end. you can deny it all you want but every time you open a door for somebody and you get a bright smile and a thank you, it makes you feel good about yourself. if you don't get as little as a smile, you feel disappointed. nobody does good without a reward o ...[text shortened]... E sort. i want to do good things because it makes me feel good about myself, that's my reward.
It's natural to feel a sense of satisfaction when you do good things for others. But, even if this feeling attended each and every successful good deed you performed, that wouldn't show that you are motivated to perform such deeds because of the personal satisfaction that you derive from them. The fact that one derives this sort of satisfaction from such dealings does not imply that it is this satisfaction that moves them to engage in such dealings.
Here is a basic example. Suppose that someone is suffering, and another compassionate person takes action that successfully alleviates the suffering. The compassionate person should naturally be expected to derive pleasure from this. But it was not such pleasure that motivated the compassionate person to act. Rather, the compassionate person was moved to action because they value the state of persons being free from suffering (which is characteristic of compassion). That they also happen to derive pleasure from the dealing is natural, since it is natural to derive pleasure when you are successful in the pursuit of things you value. It doesn't follow that the base motivator is self-interested.
We could also include an example related to the charity donations you keep discussing. You may naturally derive satisfaction from donating, especially if you see your funds successfully going to improve the lives of others. That doesn't mean you are motivated to donate by the satisfaction you ultimately derive. The principal motivator could still be genuine regard for others.
I think perhaps you are failing to appreciate this distinction, and perhaps it is not the satisfaction you mention that at bottom motivates you. If it really is the case that you are motivated in all your dealings by the pleasure you stand to experience, then you are basically a psychological egoist.
10 Jan 10
Originally posted by LemonJelloI just walk down to my local park and pick up rubbish from time to time. My reward: Pretty self explanatory. I just look at the other people looking at me probably thinking that I'm picking up all sorts of germs. Modern consumerism sucks. why is it always the McDonalds rubbish and coke cans that get thrown away the most? Hmmm..
[b]nobody does good without a reward of SOME sort. i want to do good things because it makes me feel good about myself, that's my reward.
It's natural to feel a sense of satisfaction when you do good things for others. But, even if this feeling attended each and every successful good deed you performed, that wouldn't show that you are motivated to ...[text shortened]... ngs by the pleasure you stand to experience, then you are basically a psychological egoist.[/b]
10 Jan 10
Originally posted by karoly aczelthis is most admirable!
I just walk down to my local park and pick up rubbish from time to time. My reward: Pretty self explanatory. I just look at the other people looking at me probably thinking that I'm picking up all sorts of germs. Modern consumerism sucks. why is it always the McDonalds rubbish and coke cans that get thrown away the most? Hmmm..
10 Jan 10
4 edits
Originally posted by robbie carrobieAdmirable to you maybe.
this is most admirable!
For me it means having to choke down another McDonald's meal, chasing it down with another nasty Coke and hauling everything down to the park in order to keep karoly's life meaningful. This I do selflessly, without reward and without regard for my long term health.
10 Jan 10
Originally posted by ThinkOfOnei refuse to eat at MacDonalds on principle, but i have to go their for my kid.
Admirable to you maybe.
For me it means having to choke down another McDonald's meal, chasing it down with another nasty Coke and hauling everything down to the park in order to keep karoly's life meaningful. This I do selflessly, without reward and without regard for my long term health.
10 Jan 10
Originally posted by ThinkOfOnei do not really associate your posts with humour, i need to disarm myself first, sorry, past experience , i read them with a siege mentality, but even if i did not get it, i am sure you might like to laugh at your own jokes 🙂
Was the humor too subtle for you?
10 Jan 10
Originally posted by ThinkOfOneI'm disgusted at modern consumer mentality and also appalled at people who dont give a crap about their enviroment. The attitude around here is "leave it for someone else to clean up".
Admirable to you maybe.
For me it means having to choke down another McDonald's meal, chasing it down with another nasty Coke and hauling everything down to the park in order to keep karoly's life meaningful. This I do selflessly, without reward and without regard for my long term health.
Sorry, but for me its beyond a joke.
11 Jan 10
1 edit
Originally posted by karoly aczelIt's an ego dominated world. They can't see beyond themselves. Why there are even those who are so controlled by ego that they believe that they can seek pleasure while breaking free of ego.
I'm disgusted at modern consumer mentality and also appalled at people who dont give a crap about their enviroment. The attitude around here is "leave it for someone else to clean up".
Sorry, but for me its beyond a joke.
11 Jan 10
Originally posted by ThinkOfOneall this talk about ego is pretty annoying. nobody said anything about ego except for you. it's only an ego dominated world for kids ranging from the ages of 16-20ish.
It's an ego dominated world. They can't see beyond themselves. Why there are even those who are so controlled by ego that they believe that they can seek pleasure while breaking free of ego.