• ivanafterall
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    222 years ago

    They say that it’s the ultimate test of selflessness, because it doesn’t benefit you and there’s no recognition for it.

    But does it cancel out the selflessness if I’m now thinking that every time I return a cart? “If someone sees me, they’ll know how selfless I am…”

    • AggressivelyPassive
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      132 years ago

      That’s why shopping carts in Germany are coin operated.

      You only get your coin back, if you return the cart.

    • Advocado
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      72 years ago

      It’s a paradox for sure. I have this exact thought everytime I do something I think of as morally good. Then I’m bashing myself for thinking that way, and then I wonder if I need to become a monk or something to completely rid myself of that initial thought. Then I forget about it until it happens again.

    • @jballs@sh.itjust.works
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      42 years ago

      I had a teacher in highschool that presented the philosophical argument that no one ever does anything that is truly selfless. The argument was exactly what you mentioned, that if someone is doing something that appears selfless, they’re actually doing it in hopes that someone notices and thinks more highly of them.

      This would have been an interesting rebuttal to the argument. If you return a shopping cart in an empty parking lot, does that make you selfless? Kind of like a modern version of a tree falling in a forest…

      • @pathief@lemmy.world
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        62 years ago

        I’m not doing it for the goodness of my heart or being selfless. I enjoy following the rules.I do it for me, not for the person using the cart next or the store employees. You can argue I’m kind of an asshole for it, actually.

    • @electrogamerman@lemmy.world
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      2 years ago

      But does it cancel out the selflessness if I’m now thinking that every time I return a cart? "If someone sees me, they’ll know how selfless I am…

      Well, thank you for ruining my life.

    • @yimo@discuss.tchncs.de
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      22 years ago

      Honestly unless you believe there is inherent good in doing that (religion mostly, morality for some) then no. It doesn’t make sense to work for free, to not have returns.

      If recognition is a form of payment then good on some people, though I personally think recognition can be a drug, and religion justifies my good actions for me much better.

      Point is keep on doing good, and maybe consider that the slightly tidier and cleaner space you leave was worth the effort. Surely someone would have seen you and thought “damn, I should do that next time”

      • It doesn’t make sense for the individual unless you consider that they live in a society. You would be annoyed to have to retrieve a wayward cart and by returning your cart you enforce the expectation and social pressure on others to do the same. I don’t think it’s selfless to treat your environment with respect, it’s in your own best interest most of the time.