Why are most people self-centered or selfish?

Question

It's always about what can you do for them immediately or they're not interested in most cases.

hahahmm · Accepted Answer

People probably always were. Just talking about western society where I live: in the old days people were less selfish because they had more connection to the local community. That selfishness could be channeled into collective/group/teamwork. If you were born in a village or town, regardless of what you looked like, you were family. The people in the next village were not. Even when I was a kid people were more connected locally than now. I knew pretty much all of the people in my neighborhood and I had been in most of the houses at some point. That's not how it works these days. The less you are connected to others the more life becomes about yourself or just your own family. I'm not saying it's wrong either but it should be balanced with the community thing. If the community sucks or doesn't exist then it just won't be part of it.

Now the big problem I have with society now is how life has been made almost all about money. That was a huge mistake. If people put money first then they can't be loyal to anything but money.

Maybe_Maybe_not · Accepted Answer

Culture and civilizations? We are living in times of Individualism, defined as: - A doctrine holding that the interests of the individual should take precedence over the interests of the state or social group. - Belief in the primary importance of the individual and in the virtues of self-reliance and personal independence. Maybe it's not trending everywhere on earth though, I'm unsure, there must be collectivist philosophies still alive out there. Many collectivist place I can think of seem to be massively discriminative and/or suspected of operating on mind control, such as religious cults or countries where religion is in bed with the regime. But,   ?

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

The americans are the most selfish culture in the world. In other cultures, people work to pay for their siblings' college tuition. Here in america, parents even complain about the kids not leaving the house by 18. Adult children rarely ever take it a priority to care for their parents.

bobalife · Accepted Answer

It could possibly be narcissistic traits, insecurities and need of validation, apathy, internally unhappy and solely focus their own happiness, how they’re raised and their environment, narrow minded and etc.

NaultD · Answer

There is saying "it takes a village to raise a child." It's a tight nit group where humanity thrives. It's also well defined an average person can maintain 150 stable relationships.

It's very hard to get that outside of church's or workplace and from their are deep expectations and not necessarily unconditional respect that come from blood family and found family.

So to not be selfish is a lesson that needs reinforcement from life. When we isolate ourselves even in a nuclear family is disastrous for our humanity.

Anonymous · Answer

Well our local communities and families are breaking down in modern western society and that’s a huge part of it. Also western society encourages individualism.

Conceit is a debase yet very natural human emotion. We all are capable of it but whether or not we choose to self indulge has a lot to do with our upbringing.

I also believe genetics factors into a certain extent. For example my brother and mother are generally a lot more selfish than my dad and sister. It’s a (partially) a genetic problem that runs on my mom’s side of the family. Her mother and her late grandfather were notoriously the same way

Some people are sociopaths too. They can “act” like they selfless at times but it’s always part of a long game. They see life as a giant chess board where they have to manipulate others for their own best interests. They don’t have any real feelings of empathy or guilt for how they make others feel.

PeachyPie93 · Answer

It's the safest way to be so you don't get hurt lol

MicahRaine · Answer

Because of how they were raised/their beliefs. If you weren't raised tk put others first, and you don't have religion, what motivation is there to not be selfish?

lightbulb27 · Answer

orientation to life. they don't have life and eternity in perspective and are in a state of fear, that makes themselves number one priority.

goodnightgrace · Answer

because it's their world and the rest of us are just existing in it 😁

MisfitsLover92 · Answer

Because me a narcissist is" like totally hip nowadays" it seems like. I disagree, id rather be in the out-odd ball crowd when it comes to that.

FreyaRed · Answer

It's a survival instinct, real generosity is very rare in the nature.

Anonymous · Answer

because liberalism encourages people to serve the worst versions of themselves over the greater good of the community

DrPepper12 · Answer

Evolution favors self-preservation. No mystery

allaboutyou2 · Answer

Then you are in the totally wrong circle of people. re-state//background_color_rgba (0, 0, 0, 0), font_color_rgb (77, 77, 77), justifyLeft

OddBeMe · Answer

Should they not be? Life is quite easy to navigate when you accept this.

Anonymous · Answer

they serve themselves instead of serving God

noohair · Answer

It is human nature to be selfish and greedy.

RedInnocent69 · Answer

You mean, why did Trump win the election?

Crazzyyworld · Answer

And yet they pretend that they care so much

Enginn · Answer

Its about the survival of the fittest.

blackeagle007 · Answer

Our culture.

Kingofkings1992 · Answer

Human nature

Why are most people self-centered or selfish?

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