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BottleAbuser says: "I dunno, I think I do everything to benefit myself in the end. Things that might seem "altruistic" to other people I do for the warm fuzzy feeling inside. It's all about me, not about "love." I guess I'm just a bad person and should be glad the rest of the world isn't like me."
I think this reflects a hangover from Christianity that so many people have, the notion that goodness entails sacrifice and personal pain. And then it doesn't help that many modern people argue that altruism doesn't exist, that everything is a reflection of rational self interest (this would be one of the many unscientific ideas of modern economics.)
As I see it, acts of love and kindness and goodness are often meant to be very pleasurable for the one giving as well as the one receiving.
A few analogies: 1) Sex. The more you give, the more you get. Giving is pleasure, and receiving is pleasure. It is wonderful to make someone cum. 2) (hypothetical for me, as I've never done this myself) Raising a garden. Here you nurture the Earth and make something beautiful, and it in turn nurtures you.
Goodness should often be about pleasure and the elevation of all. As you do good in life, you should often feel good, and there is no shame in that.
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I was going to make a long post about how calling economics unscientific pissed me off and was way off base, but I don't think I will. I don't feel like making a thoughtful post to be ignored while you throw some rhetoric back in my face. I see from your profile that you are older than I am, and I am sure you are wiser. (That was not sarcasm, I know that I am just some 20 year old with strong opinions, but at the end of the day, little to base them on.) However, callously dismissing anything contrary to your personal beliefs without any explanation is not the proper way to debate.
Keep in mind the fact that I did that as respectfully as my anger would allow when you choose whether or not to ban me from your blog.
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LemonWalrus! I did not intend to piss you off at all. I am happy to discuss anything you want to discuss in a peaceful and hopefully friendly way.
First of all, I have never once banned anyone from any of my posts (despite all manner of completely harsh comments), and I do not intend to (although I have asked that people not post in my blogs, but whether they respected my wish was their decision). I believe strongly that we should all be able to say what we want to say, although I do believe it is important to be respectful about it (and your post was respectful - thank you.)
Secondly, in any writing or speaking, some things will be emphasized while other things will be briefly touched on, and many things will be completely ignored. This does not necessarily reflect the weakness of the ideas presented, it reflects the incompleteness of all communication. You are right, I did not explain my comment about economics at all. Another person complained about my comments about Christianity in the OP, and again, that was something I did not really explain. I was focusing on other things.
So, if you would like to discuss economics, I would be glad to. You can write your long and thoughtful post, and we can discuss it. I am happy to do that. You can make your own thread or do it here (economics is mostly beyond the scope of this blog, but I don't mind talking about it here.) Or we can discuss privately.
What ought to be mentioned is that I am two classes shy of my bachelors degree, and my major is economics. Please do not assume that I speak harshly of economics without having studied it. I have studied it.
No need for anger. Again, happy to discuss anything. It's how we all learn.
Peace!
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On February 01 2008 00:25 nA.Inky wrote:
What ought to be mentioned is that I am two classes shy of my bachelors degree, and my major is economics. Please do not assume that I speak harshly of economics without having studied it. I have studied it.
Well now I feel pretty dumb. (Although I am actually glad that I didn't make the long post, as I probably would have just been telling things you already knew, and most likely understand better than I do.) I apologize for judging you based on one small aside in your post, I had you all wrong. I felt that remark came from a guy that didn't understand economics, and therefore dismissed some of it from lack of understanding. I think I am just going to apologize, thank you for handling it this way rather than tearing me apart, and kindly sit back to remove my foot from my mouth. 
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No need to apologize. Your criticism was really not out of line; it is true I did not explain myself. And besides that, you were respectful, which is all I ask of anyone.
Always feel free to comment on anything I say, critically or not. I enjoy the meaningful conversation. Perhaps you and others can learn from me, and other times I can learn from you or others.
Peace.
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United States22883 Posts
I thought you were majoring in sociology and dropped out.
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Nay, Jibba. I minor in sociology (but I often emphasize my study of sociology because it is really much more interesting to me, and I have learned much more about it by studying independently.) Economics is my major - I picked it after dropping out of the music program. I was a confused man, 20 years old, and having no idea what to study. So I picked econ.
Still very much in school, but only doing 6 credit hours a semester, and working 25 hours a week in a student job for 8.50 an hour. I'm at work right now.
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EPT
