Altruism

[Binary011]

What about the right-wing attack on any type of Communism deteriorating because it depends too heavily on self-sacrifice? I said to the guy that it would be in the members' self-interest to help out because the more one helps, the more everybody and the individual have. Any other rebuttals anyone else can come up with regarding the Conservative attack?

[GPDP]

It's interesting that a conservative would attack communism on the basis of opposition to altruism, when they are the first to tell everyone else to act altruistically in favor of the national interest, and praise the troops' "self-sacrifice" in service to their country.

[Schrödinger's Cat]

We're not basing our systems in altruism; it's a straw man. Nothing more needs to be said.

[Black Sheep]

Well,i do think that Kropotkin holds it in high regard. (altruism and solidarity)

[#FF0000]

We're not basing our systems in altruism; it's a straw man. Nothing more needs to be said.

Exactly this. Altruism has fuck-all to do with what we're about. If anything, we rely heavily on the concept of human self-interest

[Demogorgon]

Yes, we are not based primarily on altruism. On the other hand, do not fall into the trap of dismissing altruism. It is a wonderful thing, simple acts of kindness are one of the greatest things about humanity, it is just that it is too much of an individual thing to build a coherent system around.

[Schrödinger's Cat]

Yes, we are not based primarily on altruism. On the other hand, do not fall into the trap of dismissing altruism. It is a wonderful thing, simple acts of kindness are one of the greatest things about humanity, it is just that it is too much of an individual thing to build a coherent system around.

I agree. Those who say altruism is evil are equally idiotic, if you ask me.


Well,i do think that Kropotkin holds it in high regard. (altruism and solidarity)

I've not read anything from Kropotkin that had to with altruism; he was stressing mutual exchange and cooperation, both of which can and do come about through self-interest as well.

[Rosa Lichtenstein]

The best altruists I have ever met are fellow workers.

That's why the right hates altruism.

[Black Sheep]

Uhm, is there a difference between altruism and voluntarism?

[BobKKKindle$]

There are two possible responses to this poor argument. You can point out that just because a system depends on people being altruistic, it does not mean that the system is automatically "wrong" or could never be put into practice, because altruism is an important aspect of human behavior, and the apparent lack of altruism in a capitalist society is caused by the way people are brought up and the impact of material pressures on the ways they relate to other people, not any unchangeable human nature. You can also argue that socialism does include a strong element of self-interest because the overthrow of capitalism would allow for dramatic improvements in the standard of living for almost every member of society aside from a small minority at the top of the wealth pyramid, and the economy of a socialist society would also appeal to the self-interest of individuals by giving more resources to people who are able to produce more or make a greater effort.