Quora Q: "Are All Our Decisions Selfish?"

YESSSSSSSSSSSSS!

All decisions, every action, mental or physical,… made by anyone… and all of nature… at every level… are “selfish.” Everything in all of existence exists for itself…

… and it is INTENDED to be so. :-)

Selfishness is defined as “concerned chiefly with one's own personal profit or pleasure.” All actions are determined by the brain’s concept of “what’s in it for me?” We learn through our own experience; cause and effect. Those who deeply apply themselves to reflecting upon past experience, considering the value of the effect gleaned from the cause of that experience, and determine to replicate or change course in future similar situations by utilizing their past to positively influence the present and future, are capable of learning life’s lessons much faster than others. Water flows downhill. Nature always chooses the simplest path. Depending upon the embedded goal of each individual, enlightened choice of action will bring one closer to one’s target. IF the “pursuit of happiness” truly is the programmed in purpose for life and there are no conflicting beliefs to what entails real “happiness,” then one’s course is fairly simple and direct. However, that is not likely in today’s world.

Similarly, everything in creation exists vainly, believing that its actions are good and right; one’s existence is, thus, justified. Vanity is defined as: “excessive pride in or admiration of one's own appearance or achievements.”

From Ecclesiastes comes some of the most profound words ever written: “Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity. What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun? ... The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose. The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth again according to his circuits. All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again. All things are full of labour; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.” (ECCLESIASTES 1:2-9.)

Basically, centuries ago, “Solomon” himself hit upon the idea of the classic movie “Groundhog Day.”

Before we can proceed, let’s define two more words whose meanings are often taken for granted as commonly understood: “me” and “I.”

ME: “used by a speaker to refer to himself or herself as the object of a verb or preposition: Compare with I.”

I: “Used to refer to oneself as speaker or writer; the self; the ego.”

In brief, one might ask oneself: “Which *I’s* do I use to define me?”

There are three main “me” levels, each one vain, each one selfish in its own sphere.

1. This is I, myself, as I relate to me INDIVIDUALLY. I’m tired, I want to sleep. I deserve to be cared for, paid the most, catered to, eat, etc.; because I WANT TO! A person living and aware from this level could be considered emotionally young. As an infant and very young child, when an apparent need is felt or there is an obstacle to their perceived happiness, the perception is that someone else outside of their own self should fulfill that need or be taken from to remove their happiness hindrance. There are many in our culture today who still live at this perceptual/ emotional level. Although expected when a person is very young, as one’s chronological age progresses, it is expected that this behavior and one’s frame of reference should also expand. When this does not happen and the individual becomes a burden to others, that “selfish” individual is then given a label of: egocentric · egotistic · egotistical · egomaniacal · self-centered · self-absorbed · self-obsessed · self-seeking · self-serving · wrapped up in oneself · inconsiderate or · thoughtless. Similarly, one who is older than toddler who still believes and flaunts that they, alone, are “the center of the universe” are perceived as vain as in: conceited · narcissistic · self-loving · in love with oneself · self-admiring. This type of person is seen as WEAK. This is “me, me, me, me, me, me, me.”
2. This is I, myself, as I relate to me SOCIALLY. I want________ because it insures my wife’s taken care of in the future. This selfishness places one’s family, neighborhood, religion, country, company, outside authority (God) over and above others. One’s circle of focus (and influence) has extended beyond those whose lens for perspective is on level 1. One is vigilantly aware of responsibly contributing to and assuring the welfare of that part of the world that one identifies with. This type of person is seen as RESPONSIBLE. In scriptural terms, “an honorable man or woman of this world.” This is “Me!”
3. This is I, myself, as the totality of all that exists. This level acts and perceives one’s self as infinite and abundant, consisting of every one and every thing. With this perspective, the “individual” sees him or herself as merely one part, one “atom,” of a great and dynamic, intricately connected organism which includes all in existence. Nothing and no one is separated or truly distinct. All is important to the proper functioning of the whole. Thus, all other humans are equal and uniquely special while being no more special than any other. This individual has moved beyond families, borders, race, or any other distinction. This is “ME.”

No matter which level one identifies himself with, and those levels may shift periodically as one gains and solidifies higher and higher levels of awareness and humanity, every decision made is because the effect benefits *the self* somehow. When one lives for the good of her family, for instance, she may feel that she is the happiest denying her own wants and needs for the needs of the greater good, as she sees it: her family. Likewise for each and any “role” or group one conceives himself as being related to. A great example are missionaries, soldiers or “suicide bombers.”

Only when one has exchanged “my will” for “Thy will be done” and has gained “the eyes of Christ” which see the Real Needs of others and with eternal perspective can navigate each decision for the greater good of everyone and everything, can one be assured that one’s selfishness, one’s vanity, can also assist the growth and empowerment of everyone else equally.

Thus, although so misunderstood, the declaration and invitation of the one known as “Jesus the Christ”: “Love the Lord, thy God (your Real, True, Enduring Self) with all thy heart, and with all thy might, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength.” Amazingly, as one does this, correctly, the second commandment is capable of being executed correctly as well: “Love thy neighbor as thyself.”

And who is one’s neighbor? Each and every other “one” in all of existence!