GENIUS FORUMS

Alex asks,

Is it possible to do one, true, pure, altruistic thing?

I'd have to go with no.

What is Man?

"Old Man: That no man has ever sacrificed himself in the common meaning of that phrase--which is, self-sacrifice for another ALONE. Men make daily sacrifices for others, but it is for their own sake FIRST. The act must content their own spirit FIRST. The other beneficiaries come second."

---Mark Twain, 'What is Man?'

TS: "Had my opening post been sincere, your responses would have been appropriate. (If you still believe Bohm dialogue worth discussing, I suggest opening a different thread.)"

No, I don't think so. No interest here in mature respectful dialogue. More an adolescent circle jerk, male superiority mentality with a very few exceptions... or i'd have long ago moved on.

mikiel

Alex,

I'm afraid I agree with the Old Man. But it's not necessarily dreary. It's just the nature of things. We cannot ever fail to do what we want the most in any given situation. I think there is something profound here, about the nature of being. It doesn't mean we don't give altruistically, or help others for no reward. We do. We do it because it gives us great pleasure to do so, and I like to think this is a little hint of the unity of all being, that things work this way.

It's perfect.