Can a person be motivated by desires that are not–ultimately–selfish?

[Nikki1989]

[NathanDavis]

well, this is a tricky one...

and I do think it's worth to mention that there's a difference between something or someone that is selfish, and something or someone that is selfless because there's a key difference between these two

selfish is... when you lack consideration of others, therefore you're only concerned about your own personal gain

selfless is... when you are more concerned with the needs and wellbeing of others first, and yours become next but maybe this is not where this question is going, lmao

personally... I can relate a bit to this, in the terms of being motivated by desires... there was time, once upon a time in which I was way younger, pretty much a child and back then, the only thing I wanted was something for myself... I wanted good, I wanted better, I wanted improvement, I wanted all of my struggles to just go away so I could rest, and I was being consumed by those desires or wishes of "just please do good to me, life... " (was this selfish?) and that just drove me into the worst place and situation of my life

then dreadful things happened, in top of that... something changed in me, so, my motivation in this life, was not desire for myself but to give myself the chance to to give to others, what I wanted the most, which is happiness... and this newly found motivation in me was more of a selfless sense and reason to live... I really felt that, making others happier... would make me happy in return, and this saved my life... dedication towards the better for others, but without neglecting my own

[FreyaRed]

This depends often from reference point. I like when my food taste good for people I like. Of course is self-gratification of my own ego despite this desire is linked with satisfaction of others.
Generally every desire can be reduced to egoistic needs. However it's a difference if a group can take benefits from specific desire or it's solely egoistic thing.

[loveslongnails]

There's a psychological argument that goes something like this:
* "Even altruism at its core, is driven by a selfish desire because it gives the doer the necessary level of self-gratification they crave".

Maybe it's true, maybe it's pretzel logic, maybe it's something else, but in the end I'll take any reason considering the benefit of the outcome.

[Bricealan]

@Nikki1989 Nikki, I have desires to be good at something, as in my dancing 'other life' but I don't see anything that is selfish in that desire? Is that what you meant?

[xawyx-3]

Maybe, but such people are quite rare unfortunately.

[AngryCarl3]

Yes, humans are social animals and we can act altruistically within our family and friend group, and even, to a degree, in broader society.

[MikeMetal79]

Probably not someone be like what is in it for them.

[Abbycado]

Like not being an anon fuckwit? Yes.

[_Jenny_]

@Nikki1989 I’m sure you’re right

[Paige2006]

Yes definitely

[ProbablyClueless]

Yes, that's absolutely possible.

[Agape93]

I dont think so.