Is true altruism really good?

[Nikia]

By this, I mean non selective altruism, loving and giving to everyone. I ask this because I was thinking about it today. One of my coworkers was late enough today that we didn't think that she was coming in. She did not come in Monday because of car trouble. I thought that perhaps she was having car trouble again. Earlier, I had lent my best friend my car which he ended up keeping for a week and a half while he first tried to repair his car himself and then finally took it to a mechanic. I briefly considered that perhaps I should do the same for her. I lent my car to my friend because he needed it. She is in need also. It brought back the memory of an Objectivist on campus that scoffed at the ideal of altruistic love preached by Jesus. The Objectivist said that for one thing giving to those who are less worthy and less likeable to you, diminshes your gifts to the worthy and those who you truly like. I remembered it because it was the first thing that popped into my mind. I felt that if I extended her the use of my car that it would be an insult to my friend. There are other issues too as to why I would not lend her my car, but this is what I thought of right away. Well, should we really give to those in need equally or only to those who are worthy and that we like, but in the words of Jesus "even the sinners do that." Does it diminish the gift though if we give freely?

[commander bunnypants]

1. I dont think so

When I do a favor, it is not to get something back. I just do it.


DDQM

[Nikia]

2. But would you rather give to someone who you like?

I don't expect to get anything back from my friend. I think of him often and care what happens to him. It would be much more of a crisis for me if something bad happened to him than a complete stranger or even an aquaintance. Maybe, this is selfishness though. I got something back when I lent him my car. I felt better knowing that he felt better and that he would not get in a bad accident due to his bad car and that he would not lose his job for missing work due to his car.

[commander bunnypants]

6. I try not to let it get that way.

Mean ole Nurse Ratchet I work with. I provide free Notary Services for the people I work with and Clients. I notarized something for her without a thought of her ever being nice to me. I cant change people, but I can strive to be like the great spirit.


DDQM

[Nikia]

7. Very true

That is a good way to think of things.

[commander bunnypants]

8. Second example just happened

A co-worker just asked if I had change for 5 bucks. I only had 2. So I gave her a buck, " but I might forget about repaying you" I told her that is fine, and she kept but but but. I told her to smile at me one day when I am in a crappy mood. and one day I know you would do the same for me


DDQM- She needed a tootsie roll fix.

and on disclaimer I am not an angel. wink wink. I just believe unlike freepers we need to take care of each other

[SOteric]

3. For the Objectivist you mention

the act of giving is inextricably linked to a negative value judgement.

Real altruism, if such a thing is possible, doesn't work that way. I don't believe, personally, that Christ worked that way. If I have and you need, then I give...we share. There isn't a judgement of the worthiness of either that goes with that.

Whether that means you should loan your coworker your car is another matter. It may be just as easy to help her find public transportation, or to chip in for cab fare, - but I'd first establish whether this is indeed the reason she was late again. And if so, why is it that a bus or a cab was not a consideration?

[damnraddem]

4. There is a strong ideology that denies community and ...

elevates self-interest above all else. The Bushistas, neocons generally, Freepers, and associates all thrive off of it.

[dani]

5. the O'ist argument

is silly in my opinion. It need not cheapen the altruistic acts to friends/family, that's an entirely subjective thing (but Objectivist philosophy is 100% subjective).

My own ethics is reciprocal altruism. As Confucius said: Recompense injury with justice, and recompense kindness with kindness. I wouldn't cooperate with an immoral person (loan my car, for instance, to a meany egoist who would not appreciate and reciprocate). I think that's the most efficient and umm.. "winningest" ethic, more successful than Objectivist greed-is-good ethics.

[amazona]

9. hey you know what?

There are 6 billion, maybe 7 billion, people in the world. You can't lend all of them your car every time their car breaks down. Jesus lived in a different world -- a world in which a homeless teacher or rabbi could wander from town to town, on foot, be welcomed into the finest homes, given food, drink, and audience, and not have to be terribly concerned with the paperwork of life. Much as I admire the great teacher and try to honor the Gospels, we live in a world where if you don't have your OWN car, your OWN money, your OWN food and shelter, you get mowed down like an armadillo on a Louisiana freeway.

For the sake of your own survival, you have to take care of yourself first. Unless you are extremely wealthy, loaning your car out to all and sundry is above and beyond the call of duty. You have nothing to feel bad about. Loaning a car to your best friend in all the world, already you're a hero. Loaning your car to a co-worker? No effing way, Jose. She needs to rent a car or find some other way to take care of her own needs.

I learned through very bitter experience that if we spend all our time trying to help the helpless, we never have time to 1) help ourselves or 2) contribute to those who CAN be helped.

If I was in your shoes, I'd be happy to phone AAA for the co-worker. I'd be happy to give her the number of Enterprise Car Rentals. But she's on more drugs than Rush if she thinks she's borrowing my car.

The objectivist is just nutso. The gift is not diminished if you give freely. If you can afford financially and emotionally to give to people who are not so important to you, certainly, you are a wonderful person and a saint.

I just don't feel, in our society, that everyone should be required to be a saint. When you are without a car, this co-worker is not going to lend you hers -- and that, my friend, is guaranteed. We need not entertain objectivist nonsense to employ our simple common sense.


been there, done that