Timothy_Scriven comments on Rationality Quotes 4 - Less Wrong

6 Post author: Eliezer_Yudkowsky 20 January 2008 05:00PM

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Comment author: Timothy_Scriven 21 January 2008 02:47:57AM 0 points [-]

"Altruistic behavior: An act done without any intent for personal gain in any form. Altruism requires that there is no want for material, physical, spiritual, or egoistic gain."

"Personal gain" is a very vague concept so this is not the best definition. Is the warm fuzzy feeling I get after helping someone personal gain? ( it sounds like "Spirtual" or "egoistic" gain to me.) Is fufilling any desire whatsoever personal gain? ( If so it' hard to see that there are very many things which are not selfish.) These questions need answering just as much as the intial question so I don't think this quote is a satisfactory answer.