At 9:31 AM -0700 on 7/11/99, Rob Cozens wrote:
>Altruism is payback to society for the support society gives the
>individual. No individual survives on his/her own. Tarzan not
>withstanding, if one were seperated from all human contact at birth she/he
>would die within a week.
I must agree.
>
>Who grew, processed, packaged, and delivered the food you eat?
People who I pay for it.
>Who built
>the car you drive and the roads you drive it on?
People who I pay for it.
>Who makes the telephone
>and electricty work?
People who I pay for it.
>Who built the computer you use?
People who I pay for it.
>Who educated you?
>Who will educate your children?
Unfortunately, a government program. I do, however, support privatization
of education.
>Who grew or manufactured the fibers in
>your clothing?
People I pay for it.
>Who cares for you when you are ill?
A doctor who is paid & family.
>Who provided the
>libraries and knowledge base upon which your ideas or philosophy are based?
Countless millions of people. And when they were alive they wrote their
books to either be sold or because they wanted to.
>How long do you think you would survive if every other human being
>disappeared from the face of the earth?
Not too long.
>
>The idea of a self-made person is a figment of imagination of self-centered
>egos.
<snip>
I don't see what it has to do with altruism, though. It seems those people
were paid for their services.
Except the family. However, that could easily be rectified by calling it a
trade: A family takes care of one another. if another family member is ill,
I'd help out.
