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Old 04-16-2013, 03:36 PM   #20 (permalink)
ManWithNoName
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Originally Posted by Always View Post
I remember reading a quote in a book from the Dalai Lama. It was something along the lines of being selfless to help one's self, the reward for selflessness is happiness. So I guess yes and no.
But then bettering one's self also takes the strain off those who come into contact with you as well so it goes back to selflessness again.

I think altruism is relative to a specific scenario. For example, it is more altruistic to go out of your way to help someone up after they have fallen, than to kick them in the face for your own amusement.

You can argue that you do both through your self for selfish reasons, but the latter has less empathy so is less altruistic.
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