[MD] Altruism

[pholden at davtv.com]

Quoting Horse <horse at darkstar.uk.net>:

> Hi Platt
> 
> Just a couple of points:
> 
> On 27 Sep 2006 at 17:31, Platt Holden wrote:
> 
> > > [Platt]
> > > It's always amazed me that someone could be so egoistic as to think she
> > > knows what would be good for somebody else.
> 
> A doctor kills a germ and saves a patient.
> A parent makes their child eat healthy food.
> 
> Why would you be amazed at either of the above?

I wouldn't. A doctor invests a lifetime in learning how not to harm another and 
follows the principle of "First, do no harm." A parent and a child have a special
relationship beyond the context of my assertion. The assumption underlying debate
here is that we're taling about adult behavior. 
 
> > Yes, I should have qualified my statement. Charity is OK by me in the 
> > case of natural disaster to help people get back on their feet. But, 
> > there is overwhelming evidence that long-term public altruism creates 
> > dependency and anti-social behavior like out-of-wedlock pregnancies.  
> 
> Out-of-wedlock pregnancies are anti-social?? Which century are we talking about
> here? Anti-
> social behaviour is behaviour that harms society. Societies need people,  people
> are created 
> through pregnancy. In or out of wedlock is irrelevant.

Craig had a good response to this. Wish I had thought of it.

Great to hear from you!

Platt






 


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