The Selfish Nature Of All Actions

[boagie]

Originally Posted by kennethamy

Is that supposed to be an argued rebuttal, or have you anything else to say except that you don't like what wrote? This is a discussion forum, and to discuss is not to retort, "that's what you say!". I guess you have reached the end of your ability to argue your view.

kennethamy,

[kennethamy]

Originally Posted by boagie

kennethamy,

After much repeated dialogue on the same simplict point, somethings just do not warrant further respect.

That's your argument, again? Words have meanings. "Selfish" is an English word, and "selfish" has a meaning. And it means nothing like what you and MFTP say it means. Since when does either of you have some special insight into what words mean?

[boagie]

Originally Posted by kennethamy

That's your argument, again? Words have meanings. "Selfish" is an English word, and "selfish" has a meaning. And it means nothing like what you and MFTP say it means. Since when does either of you have some special insight into what words mean?

kennethamy,

"Model, like so many words in the English language, has a multitude of meanings depending on the context in which it is used." Context defines you might say!!

[kennethamy]

[quote=boagie;8503]kennethamy,



Sigh!

[Wizzy]

Originally Posted by kennethamy

Sigh!

This rapidly became a really immature discussion, however, I have to stick with Boagie on this one saying that because a word don't have a clear meaning you have to explain what you refer it too, if you would try you can probably find dictionarys that say two completly different things about the same word or even find one that you just KNOW is wrong (verbs can sometimes be explained as something they just aren't in reality) and this leads to the fact that a word can have several meanings depending on who you ask or in what context it's used...

As I've said several times: for me (for example) selfish isn't a sinister or evil action in anyway, it's just a self-profit motive behind an action..
Thus I said this earlier:

Originally Posted by Wizzy

and isn't selfish and self-interest pretty much the same thing? I belive it is anyways...

[boagie]

Originally Posted by Pythagorean

Boagie,

Watch your tone. Abusive and insulting language is inappropriate!

--Pythagorean

Pythagorean,

Understood!

[Mr. Fight the Power]

Originally Posted by kennethamy

Since the English term, "selfish" means pursuing your own interest at the expense of others, it is a negative moral term in English since that sort of action is a morally bad action. ("Stealing" is another such term in English). So, when I speak English, or hear English, and hear the term being used, that is I what I mean by it, and is what understand others to mean by it. What is the point of using the term, and changing its meaning to fit some philosophical view? I don't understand how any of this is about phenomenology (whatever that may be).

This is why I did not wish to use the word.

It can be said that one who only seeks his own ends (that this is the only conceivable understanding of human action is what I have been arguing) is selfish. But when we take the common understanding of the word, it implies that one is only concerned with his own well-being.

I have not been using the word, and I have not changed the meaning of it. I have only said that it can be confusing when viewed in multiple contexts, and that I do not wish to use it because of that.

Phenomenology (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy)

[kennethamy]

Originally Posted by Mr. Fight the Power

This is why I did not wish to use the word.

It can be said that one who only seeks his own ends (that this is the only conceivable understanding of human action is what I have been arguing) is selfish. But when we take the common understanding of the word, it implies that one is only concerned with his own well-being.

I have not been using the word, and I have not changed the meaning of it. I have only said that it can be confusing when viewed in multiple contexts, and that I do not wish to use it because of that.

Phenomenology (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy)

I thought the title of this thread is, The Selfish Nature of All Actions. I don't find the word "selfish" confusing. I looked it up in the dictionary, and the dictionary gave me its meaning. I suppose you agree, then, that not all action are selfish. What is it that is being discussed on this thread now. And, if you want to discuss a different topic, would it not be better to begin a new thread, and not give the impression you were still discussing the topic of the old thread. It is rather misleading, don't you think?

[Mr. Fight the Power]

Originally Posted by kennethamy

I thought the title of this thread is, The Selfish Nature of All Actions. I don't find the word "selfish" confusing. I looked it up in the dictionary, and the dictionary gave me its meaning. I suppose you agree, then, that not all action are selfish. What is it that is being discussed on this thread now. And, if you want to discuss a different topic, would it not be better to begin a new thread, and not give the impression you were still discussing the topic of the old thread. It is rather misleading, don't you think?

Is someone selfish if they are pursuing their own wants?

[kennethamy]

Originally Posted by Mr. Fight the Power

Is someone selfish if they are pursuing their own wants?

Only if they do so at the expense of the interests of others (and that has some qualifications I will not go into to here) That is why being selfish is not nice. If I want to go to sleep because I am tired, and it affects no one else (and certainly not adversely) I am not being selfish. It would be bizarre to say I was.

I have already presented a clear example of the mother who leaves two pieces of cake for her two sons. If each takes his own piece of cake, and leaves the other for his brother, there is pursuit of his own want, but he is not being selfish.
If one of them wants not only his own piece of cake, but takes his brother's, then he is pursuing his own want, and he is also being selfish.

That is what the word "selfish" means. Words have meanings. If people could use a word with whatever meaning they please, communication would break down.