Quote Originally Posted by Fragony View Post
Well I don't actually believe what I said there about the brit throwing himselve on a grenade, just debating, me and Poor Bloody Infantry seem to be the only one who believe we are more prone to altruism then egoism, but I do believe that it is a survival strategy. There are many good people, but real altruism would require absolute selfleshness and like all absolute things I don't think it exists.
Your argument is confused. You can't do something altruistic for a recognized reward. Altruism is something different entirely. Egoism isn't necessarily a bad thing at all - it can cause someone to do tremendous good for everyone involved with little risk. Altruism is a different thing though; it is necessary when not everyone can benefit and someone needs to act out of self sacrifice for the greater good for no reward. Sometimes this results in the death of the actor, but it can still exist if the actor survives the ordeal.

My point is that Altruism and Egoism are absolutely distinct rather than different grades of the same impulse.