The Mask of Selflessness over Selfishness.💭
In your childhood, you were made to list all the things that you get from trees 🌳, and we would happily start with - wood 🪵, paper 📜, fruits 🥭, shade 🌴, etc.
Little are we made aware of the fact that none of them are "given" by the tree, all are "taken" by us. The shade, for example, is a byproduct when the tree ensures all its leaves 🌿 get maximum sunlight ☀️ and spreads out its branches.
Everything is selfish, even nature 🌳 itself. In the natural world, every organism, from the tiniest microbe 🦠 to the mightiest predator 🦣, acts in its self-interest. Survival and propagation drive every decision and behaviour. Even seemingly altruistic actions, like a bird 🐦 feeding its chicks🐥 or a bee 🐝 pollinating flowers 🌺, ultimately serve the individual's genetic imperative to ensure their survival or that of its kin.
Did you know that tomatoes 🍅 are made by the plant to kill the pests 🦗 that hurt it, using the acid that it contains? These defence mechanisms are harmful for one and beneficial for the other.
But here's where it gets interesting: Humans, for example, often engage in altruistic behaviours that seemingly go against their self-interest. We donate to charity, volunteer our time, and help strangers in need, all without expecting anything in return. Yet, even these acts can be seen as selfish in a broader sense.
Consider the psychological benefits of altruism: the sense of fulfilment, purpose, and connection that comes from helping others. By contributing to the well-being of our communities, we enhance our own social standing and reputation 🙌. In a world 🌍 where social bonds are crucial for survival and success, acts of kindness and generosity can be seen as investments in our own social capital.
Moreover, the concept of reciprocal altruism suggests that by helping others now, we increase the likelihood of receiving help in return when we need it most. In this way, selflessness becomes a strategic adaptation for maximizing one's well-being in the long run. 🙏
Understanding the paradox of selfishness in selflessness reveals the complexity of human behaviour. Balancing self-interest with altruism benefits both individuals and society. Embracing this duality nurtures deeper connections and a more harmonious world. 💫
Materialistic benefits have the same value, if not more, than the abstract benefits, in most cases and that is how we gain while giving. ✨
As Joey said in Friends ~ "There's no ‘unselfish’ good deed." :)
What are your views on this? Comment Below!
