Money isn't the only motivation people have. Helping somebody pick something up still makes you feel like you did a good deed, or you'd feel like a dick if you didn't (if that's your nature). And if there was something more important you had going on, maybe a meeting or interview you had to hurry up for, you sure as hell wouldn't pick the said thing up.
I mean like you react without thinking really. You don't really think you'd feel bad unless you had more time.
Same thing with the friend. You wanted to help out the friend because not doing so would jeopardize your friendship, or because it made you feel good. Or any number of reasons. But doing so means you had nothing you regarded as more important for you going on. People look out for themselves, first and foremost, before doing anything for other people, and even then, they see some sort of reward in doing it. Would you go help your friend if you had 10 playmates coming over for a sleepover?
Good point here. The friendship had some influence, however it was more so because he was injured and couldn't do the work that I wanted to help.
Would I help a friend in that situation? Depends on the situation. Probably not because I'd honestly feel rude and obligated to stay with my friends. If however my friends were down for going with me or if me helping wouldn't take a long time then I may. Without my friends coming along I'd feel oddly rude. Friends getting mad at me for helping another out? That would be interesting to do. If the friend's needs were urgent/serous then I would leave however.
I think it was Nero who nailed Christians to a burning cross that seems like they weren't looking out for themselves. However they valued being faithful to God over their deaths.
Reminds me of economics class people weigh the cost and benefit's and make decisions like a scale. However like the Christian I mentioned in the last post serving God, who you think will probably send you to a place of eternal torment seems to be unselfish to me. If you've ever read the book of Job his attitude at the end seems pretty unselfish to me too.
foofatron-
I mean like you react without thinking really. You don't really think you'd feel bad unless you had more time.
there is no such thing. it takes you less than a second (or one second tops) to make the calculations in your head: would I feel good or bad in doing this or not doing this...
you never act without thinking aside from situations that are life or death- if you see you are going to get hit by a car- your reflex will take over.
but other than when your life is at threat you are Always thinking before you do something.
You are just not aware of it most of the time.
foofatron-
That would be interesting to do. If the friend's needs were urgent/serous then I would leave however.
again it's because you get a good feeling out of it Or know that this friend would maybe help you out some day in the future Or you know you would feel like shit if you didn't Or: it could be all three.
it's still self interest....
foofatron-
I think it was Nero who nailed Christians to a burning cross that seems like they weren't looking out for themselves. However they valued being faithful to God over their deaths.
so they were still doing it to get some good feeling out of it- my faith is so strong, I'm dying for what I believe in, I am a better man...
Reminds me of economics class people weigh the cost and benefit's and make decisions like a scale. However like the Christian I mentioned in the last post serving God, who you think will probably send you to a place of eternal torment seems to be unselfish to me.
he thought he was going to be rewarded in the next world \ after life. strong Christians believe that this world is an illusion anyway and only in heaven you will have a good life. So to me it still looks like a selfish act- what will I gain from it?
But I could be wrong of course...