Are You Selfish?

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

Poll question: Are You Selfish?

I feel this is one of the biggest differences between the idealist and the Republican.

Be honest.

[Jackpine Radical]

1. What's in it for me if I answer?

[dysfunctional press]

2. hell yes i'm selfish-

it's all part of the whole 'survival instinct' and 'protect the dna' that's ingrained in all of us.

but that doesn't mean by any long shot that i would trample over others, literally or figuratively, just to get ahead or make personal gains.

3. Selfish - how

I have seen my brothers and sisters give up their body and souls to nurture their children, when they have to contemplate whether to leave $1.50 or $2.00 for a tip to a waitress. People are capable of great things when they put their heart and soul into something.

[MrSlayer]

4. I'm selfish in that I make sure me and mine are taken care of first.

I'm quite generous with the extras.

[me b zola]

5. Sometimes I'm selfish. sometimes I'm selfless

:dilemma:

[bridgit]

6. Yes, the sample question is flat as stated; but it is often true that...

one may need to take care of #1 (self), in order to take then care of #2, #3, #4, and so on

i.e. Jesus had people crying at his knees to stay and be with them. yet he understood that in that regard he needed to be a bit of what could be simply stated as 'selfish' in his pursuit of the cross

in the broader sense i hear what you are saying, my answer there is "no", in that if i were i'd have far more things, stuff & toys...i do not

[Nicole]

7. No

That ended the day I became a mom & later a volunteer.

[bridgit]

8. then you had better be selfish enough to stay healthy with so many...

people counting on you, no :hi:

[Nicole]

11. True, sort of

No children at home now. I'm disabled so I don't have a set schedule for volunteering. I do what I can when I can. When I can't, I write checks.

You are right though, I can be more help to them if I'm healthy. :hi:

[bridgit]

12. yup, that's why the question is for me too flat, i understand the gist...

of it, but most people here are not contained within the word 'selfish' at least imo :hug:

[Raine]

9. Yes I am

but this is too simplistic. I'm selfish and because I am I think that it's in my best interest that others benefit. If everyone is 'lifted up' I don't have to worry about those that don't have taking it from me. I believe in enlightened self-interest.

[DaveJ]

15. Really?

The question is simplistic so it should not be that hard to answer whith a 'No' unless indeed you are selfish.

What you do either benifits yourself more or others more. From what you said it's unclear which is the case.

[Terran1212]

10. Fans of Thomas Hobbes would say that's all we can be

Others, maybe you could argue much saner people, would say that most people have a bit of both the selfish and selfless.

[DaveJ]

13. Surprised (somewhat) by the number of Yes's

Honesty is not necessarily guilt relief!!! Not intending to start a flame, but the selfish belong in another party. Obviously I rely on the products made by slave labor but that is unavoidable in America. Just because I was born into in a selfish economic system, does not make me selfish. I put the needs of others ahead of my own in most circumstances, and that approach, however right, has taken its toll.

[TallahasseeGrannie]

14. I am not an idealist

and I am not selfish when it comes to my family or my students.

But some things I demand, like eight hours of sleep at night and the best chair in the living room. And I fight my husband for that wonderful line of choice watermelon in the middle.

[Hosnon]

16. Um...I do not believe anyone can answer "no" to this question.

Edit:

Of course, it depends upon what sense the word is being used. If the question is referring to a dominant characteristic, yes, answering "yes" is possible. However, if the question is referring to EVER being selfish, I believe no one can say "no."

[I Have A Dream]

17. I take care of myself so that I can take care of others.

It's like in an airplane where the adult is instructed to put on his/her oxygen mask before putting on the child's in an emergency situation. If the adult passes out due to a lack of oxygen, he/she can't help the child who might not be able to help him/herself.

[marions ghost]

18. all depends

what the meaning of the word selfish is.:)

[Catchawave]

19. Yes, I'm selfish....

It's a survival tool raising a special needs child, or I drown in self-pity :hi:

[Lilith Velkor]

20. Yes I am

As a human being residing on the planet Earth, it is in my self-interest to prevent it's destruction by Republicans.

[Deja Q]

21. Depends on the issue.

Who would not be selfish, two-faced, hypocritical, you name it? Even I have proven myself a failure in that regard. Which in a couple incidents may have turned out for the best, but one cannot predict the future.