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@binsrc altruism is an illusion, it doesnt exist. Altruism is just what wer call selfishness done expertly.
@freemo at some level it must exist, civilization prides itself (and manipulates others based) on its altruistic aspects. It seems very important to peoples self-image. There are altruistic acts, taking down a gunman, running in front of a car to save an unknown child... acts that occur spontaneously.
@binsrc none of those acts are altruistic. You do it for many reasons such as to avoid guild, the happiness and pleasure from doing the good deed, and the praise and honor you receive from the community in doing so.
Altruism is simply an illusion, something we tell ourselves because it feels good.
@freemo ok, what about scientific/medical discoveries? Why do we even try? Surely not just to bolster the ego. All for fame and social credit?
@binsrc People get paid, they feel good, most have people in their life they would be sad to loose, lots of benefit for the people who work on cures really.
But of those reasons the biggest one seems to be wanting to save people you love who have the illness, which seems to be the vast majority of people working on cures, to avoid the guilt and sadness of doing nothing and letting their loved ones die is a lot of it.
