(October 1, 2017 at 11:29 am)Bahana Wrote: I'm wondering what you all think about the idealized notion that people should just give and not expect anything in return. An argument can be made that true selfless giving doesn't exist because it makes people feel better about themselves to do something for others and that becomes the reward. In the past, if I said to someone that I'll do this for you if you agree to do this for me, some people did not like it. I think Win-Win deals are better than Win-Lose deals. It's better than covertly expecting something in return.
I think people are different - some people literally don't expect anything in return for doing a good deed. I'm personally usually going to expect an exchange of some sort, otherwise I won't be inclined to participate. But I respect and admire people who don't feel the need to derive benefit from doing good. That being said, I worry they get trampled upon and end up with fewer resources then the more capitalistic among us, which is why I would be inclined not to be truly selfless. I see true selflessness as something that weakens one's position and ability to have an impact in the future, even if it a well intentioned effort.
