Now, I ask - why would a person be inclined to hold this belief? I can understand being against our society - but if survival of the fittest was our only rule, then humanity would be very different. And not necessarily for the better.
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If survival of the fittest was the only governing rule of man, then none of the modern human innovations would be present, or used. Why? Well, it's survival of the fittest - no companies, materials, anything. Therefore, no hospitals (meaning the deaths from illnesses would be left almost completely to chance, and I don't need to explain what a blow that would be to humanity on it's own.) would have ever been built. No houses - no companies, right? It's survival of the fittest. Also, many people would die at birth from health complications. No modern technology would be available. At all.
To back up my statement that there would be no companies, simply think about this: wouldn't the formation of companies aid others? Yes. Food companies, for example, would package and sell food to people. Survival of the fittest = no food companies, because they are aiding people.
Hospitals are companies. No hospitals. Hospitals, of course, aid people.
In fact, there would be NO ALTRUISM AT ALL. Because survival of the fittest is just that - survival of the fittest, no-one else. And altruism introduces the possibility of survival of those who are not fit - which contradicts that cardinal rule, survival of the fittest.
Logically, the rule is hit-and-miss. Fittest would be = to physical fitness, correct? What about other gifts besides athletics? Intellect? Artistry? None of those would matter under that rule. Humanity would be back at square one, and would stay there. . .forever, as long as it is consistently followed.
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So, I ask, what could the reasoning for holding this view, that survival of the fittest should be the law that governs man? Is it valid reasoning? And please provide a good reason, not just that you want to rebel against the establishment, man! Give a good, supportable, logically sound reason.
So any feelings at all? I think that's pushing it a bit, don't you? Well obviously you don't since you're putting that up as your opinion.
Indeed. After all, I'm trying to prove a point.
This anti-altruistic talk seems a little too far, since as humans we can't help but feel. We can avoid such things as doing it to be good in the view of God, or to impress someone, but feelings are unavoidable. No matter what, you can't oppress them. Even if you think they're not there, they're lurking in the back of your mind.
I do it myself. There was a woman who got off the bus with me rather late at night one time & she needed a hand getting her baby & stroller off the bus - I helped. Then, after we disembarked, she asked if I had a cell phone & if I could borrow it briefly to call for a ride. I gave her my phone, she made the call, gave it back to me & we wished each other a good night.
Why did I do it? Because I wanted to feel good about myself. I could have easily had told her I didn't have a cell phone, or not helped her off the bus - hell, it's not my kid. I didn't get anything out of it. I'll never meet her again, I'll never receive any kind of recognition for it. Nada. But I did feel pretty good about myself.
I'm not hating on doing good deeds, but it's not altruism. I don't think recognizing it as not being altruistic at all takes away from what we are as a species; in fact, I find it all the more remarkable.
'm not hating on doing good deeds, but it's not altruism. I don't think recognizing it as not being altruistic at all takes away from what we are as a species; in fact, I find it all the more remarkable.
Okay, I concede to the argument of altruism vs. anti-altruism in this kind of scenery, but there does exist altruism, I just don't know of a good enough example that can't be argued with too easily. Can we agree that there's partial altruism?
Okay, I concede to the argument of altruism vs. anti-altruism in this kind of scenery, but there does exist altruism, I just don't know of a good enough example that can't be argued with too easily. Can we agree that there's partial altruism?
I'm not one to roll over the opinion that I'm making an argument for (regardless of whether or not it's the opinion I actually hold) when my opponent is incapable of conjuring examples which are steadfast against my best attacks.. so.. no, I wouldn't care to agree to 'artial' altruism
I dont think humans were designed for raw survival of the fittest. We adapted to be social animals we need to bond together to survive, without others we die. And lets face it we are one of the weakest animals out there. We cant survive in the winter, we cant even kill things without using tools. We became what we are because we worked together. Now granted until recently weaker or stupid people prully would die because the cant provide for themself they would die so that is SofT. But if it was just Anarchist SotF we would be extinct.
Okay, an atheist jumps in the way of a gunshot to protect someone, and gets killed instantly. He is not expecting to go to any Afterlife and gets killed instantly and can't experience joy in the fact he protected someone. And it all happens in a split second, with him reacting instinctively, with no real though. That good? No, you're gonna argue with it. I know it.
Okay, an atheist jumps in the way of a gunshot to protect someone, and gets killed instantly. He is not expecting to go to any Afterlife and gets killed instantly and can't experience joy in the fact he protected someone. And it all happens in a split second, with him reacting instinctively, with no real though. That good? No, you're gonna argue with it. I know it.
Of course I'm going to argue with it.
Who is the atheist jumping in front of, meaning, who's life are they saving? I can unequivocally say that I wouldn't take a bullet for a stranger. Additionally if we take in the fact that you're not citing some historical scenario, being that it's hypothetical doesn't help your case much. As for him reacting instinctively, did you read the article I linked to with regards to the selfish gene?
This topic is drifting to why people do spontaneous do acts of good. Can we please get back on topic? Let me answer your question with a question. Why do you help out a stranger in need? Or maybe you don't. I don't know.
Well technically the fact that companies create new products and media is to survive in the world. This does not just relate to death but rather prosperity.
This topic is drifting to why people do spontaneous do acts of good. Can we please get back on topic? Let me answer your question with a question. Why do you help out a stranger in need? Or maybe you don't. I don't know.
So.. you complain that we're off topic and then ask me a question that would have the discussion continue off topic? That's a bit weird..
A question is a poor answer for another question. Regardless I'll answer it. I already gave an example, and that's why I do it - because it makes me feel good. It depends on what sort of lengths I have to go to help them, and whether or not feeling good outweighs the inconveinience/loss caused by doing whatever it is that they need.
Okay, forget my example then. I'm going to go back to my idea of agreeing on partial-altruism. The reason I suggested it was because a lot of the time, people do things for themselves and for others in the same act. I'll leave this up to you to agree with or not, since I'm getting off for tonight.
Okay, forget my example then. I'm going to go back to my idea of agreeing on partial-altruism. The reason I suggested it was because a lot of the time, people do things for themselves and for others in the same act. I'll leave this up to you to agree with or not, since I'm getting off for tonight.
Well, I disagree. How is it altruism if you're benefitting from doing something for someone else? That sounds more like a business arrangement or contract.
Animals hunt in packs and live in packs and humans are fairly smart so if survival of the fittest was the only rule we lived by I'm sure we'd still have alot of the stuff we do today
