Altruism is defined as an unselfish regard for or devotion to the welfare of others, or more simply put, is a selfless concern for the well-being of others.  The word altruism was coined by Auguste Comte, the French creator of positivism, in order to describe the ethical doctrine he supported.  He believed that individuals had a moral obligation to renounce self-interest and live for others.  Now I ask you, is it actually possible to be truely altruistic?  I mean, even though you see people who give money to charities and donate money to troops, but are they actually doing it just because its the right and moral thing to do? 

 I believe that everyone does something good for someone with the expectation of something positive to happen to them, or to get someone's respect or friendship.  I for one, will do nice things for people, like hold the door for them and compliment what there wearing, but in the back of my mind, I am actually saying and doing these kind things because want them to say thank you or give me a kind gesture.  I now it sounds concieded and is almost insulting to human nature, but it is true (thats my opinion, not fact). 

The reason I wrote this was because I recently saw a YouTube video, where the person was talking about a sick child and was telling the people watching where he lived, so that you could send him get-well cards.  At first, you would think it is sweet because he's trying to help this young child, but I noticed that more than fifty people have made the exact same video for the exact same child.  And he wasn't a very popular YouTuber either.  My point is, why would you make a video that so many other people have made without expecting people to think of you as a great guy?  I'm not saying that he wasn't actually trying to help the child, but I still think that he did it because of the positve response he would get from people.  I mean, would you say your video sucked or rate a video low if it was about a dying boy.  I don't mean to make humans out as selfish, decieving beings that wouldn't do something kind for a friend or stranger, but isn't that all that we are?

What are thoughts on altruism?

PS. on a  very side note, I uploaded a picture of me on that image box.  Theres my example of altruism for ya.  Peace.