Greed and Altruism

**Posts:** 3267 · by **sakoz** » Sun Jan 18, 2015 11:57 pm

Would you say they are at opposite ends of a spectrum?
How about in a triune brain? Would you say greed at the bottom and altruism at the top?
Is there "shunting switch"? fMRI imaging shows different parts of the brain in use. Worth exploring/considering?

**Posts:** 12131 · by **Richard@DecisionSkills** » Mon Jan 19, 2015 1:18 am

sakoz wrote:Would you say they are at opposite ends of a spectrum?
How about in a triune brain? Would you say greed at the bottom and altruism at the top?
Is there "shunting switch"? fMRI imaging shows different parts of the brain in use. Worth exploring/considering?

Reptiles capable of greed, but not altruism? A "shunting switch"? Sure, why not.. lets explore.

**Posts:** 549 · by **McCain** » Mon Jan 19, 2015 3:08 am

sakoz wrote:Would you say they are at opposite ends of a spectrum?
How about in a triune brain? Would you say greed at the bottom and altruism at the top?
Is there "shunting switch"? fMRI imaging shows different parts of the brain in use. Worth exploring/considering?

I would say greed and altruism are opposite behavioral responses in only one part of the brain, the limbic system. This is according to the triune brain theory.
McCain

**Posts:** 12131 · by **Richard@DecisionSkills** » Mon Jan 19, 2015 3:20 am

McCain wrote:I would say greed and altruism are opposite behavioral responses in only one part of the brain, the limbic system. This is according to the triune brain theory.

If we accept greed and altruism are opposites, I agree with that assessment.

**Posts:** 549 · by **McCain** » Mon Jan 19, 2015 3:55 am

Richard@DecisionSkills wrote:
McCain wrote:I would say greed and altruism are opposite behavioral responses in only one part of the brain, the limbic system. This is according to the triune brain theory.

If we accept greed and altruism are opposites, I agree with that assessment.

Good point. Egoism would be more of a polar opposite to altruism.
Sakoz didn't see it like that for some reason. I wonder why?
McCain

**Posts:** 321 · by **aires_madness** » Mon Jan 19, 2015 4:07 am

@sakoz Is there even such a thing as altruism? (other than in theory)

Also yeah Sakoz , wouldn't selfishness/egoism be the opposite to Altruism?

**Posts:** 3267 · by **sakoz** » Mon Jan 19, 2015 6:09 pm

McCain wrote:
sakoz wrote:Would you say they are at opposite ends of a spectrum?
How about in a triune brain? Would you say greed at the bottom and altruism at the top?
Is there "shunting switch"? fMRI imaging shows different parts of the brain in use. Worth exploring/considering?

I would say greed and altruism are opposite behavioral responses in only one part of the brain, the limbic system. This is according to the triune brain theory.
McCain

Here's how sakoz sees it: What your missing, , you agree that greed and altruism are opposite, and your ASSUMING they are in the same 'part' of the triune brain.
When emoting, it seems we're not in control; that's because another 'part' of the triune brain is emoting; non-volitionally.
(Triune brain implies 3 parts or levels)
I wrote: quote "Would you say greed at the bottom and altruism at the top?" )of the triune brain),
McCain writes they are both IN the same part. (in the limbic.) I maintain altruism is from the neo-cortex, our frontal lobes, and not in lower, primitive 'part' of the brain.

McCain see your #4 above. and my #7 below.

**Posts:** 3267 · by **sakoz** » Mon Jan 19, 2015 6:11 pm

aires_madness wrote:@sakoz Is there even such a thing as altruism? (other than in theory)

Also yeah Sakoz , wouldn't selfishness/egoism be the opposite to Altruism?

Doesn't greed fit in with 'selfishness/egoism?

Could we say mothers are altruistic towards/with their children?
How about a guy who gives his shirt off his back for another?
What would you call giving a homeless person money?

**Posts:** 12131 · by **Richard@DecisionSkills** » Mon Jan 19, 2015 6:21 pm

sakoz wrote: Here's how sakoz sees it: What your missing, , you agree that greed and altruism are opposite, and your ASSUMING they are in the same 'part' of the triune brain.

And here is how I see it: What your missing, McCain agreed that greed and altruism are opposite, and your ASSUMING they are in different 'parts' of the triune brain.

What makes your assumption correct and McCain's assumption incorrect? Are you not recognizing your assumption might be a false thought?

**Posts:** 3267 · by **sakoz** » Mon Jan 19, 2015 6:26 pm

Read what you write

What do you think "triune" is defined as? If all is one, why two lobes? Why triune?

**Posts:** 12131 · by **Richard@DecisionSkills** » Mon Jan 19, 2015 6:28 pm

sakoz wrote:Read what you write

Learn more about what you write, before writing.

**Posts:** 321 · by **aires_madness** » Mon Jan 19, 2015 6:29 pm

sakoz wrote:
aires_madness wrote:@sakoz Is there even such a thing as altruism? (other than in theory)

Also yeah Sakoz , wouldn't selfishness/egoism be the opposite to Altruism?

Doesn't greed fit in with 'selfishness/egoism?

Could we say mothers are altruistic towards/with their children?
How about a guy who gives his shirt off his back for another?
What would you call giving a homeless person money?

Nope. Not altruistic acts.

**Posts:** 3267 · by **sakoz** » Mon Jan 19, 2015 6:29 pm

very funny coming from you lol

**Posts:** 12131 · by **Richard@DecisionSkills** » Mon Jan 19, 2015 6:32 pm

sakoz wrote:very funny coming from you lol

So you are conveying words and I activate my "Shunt Switch". Since this is inevitably where this thread is going.

"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me."

**Posts:** 3267 · by **sakoz** » Mon Jan 19, 2015 6:36 pm

Also yeah Sakoz , wouldn't selfishness/egoism be the opposite to Altruism?[/quote]

Doesn't greed fit in with 'selfishness/egoism?

Could we say mothers are altruistic towards/with their children?
How about a guy who gives his shirt off his back for another?
What would you call giving a homeless person money?[/quote]

Nope. Not altruistic acts.[/quote]

ALTRUISTIC: regard for the welfare of others; benevolent practices.
Look up the definition of 'benevolent' on your own.

Greed and Altruism

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