Blog Post 1: Selflessness

Eric Kemmling

Philosophy 100-24n

9/15/14

Blog Post 1

Giving For No Return

1. All actions that support and benefit others are virtuous.

2. All selfless acts are actions that support and benefit others.

3. Therefore, all selfless acts are virtuous.

            When contemplating on our actions and reflecting on our past decisions, it is common to wonder if we have been virtuous, good people. Though, what makes a virtuous person, or even what is a virtue? Virtue is defined as conformity of one's life and conduct to moral and ethical principles. Virtues are traits strived for by people aiming to live both a successful and righteous life. They are essentially a code to live by, dealing with anything from self-control, to self-betterment, and actions to others. Arguably the most important of traits necessary to all is selflessness.

Selflessness is a virtue loaded with both simplicity and importance, the virtue of helping others. To put others before one’s self, to put aside selfish concerns and actions to positively benefit somebody who needs it. The great thing about this virtue is that nothing special is needed to fulfill its requirements. Selflessness comes in many forms, anything from risking one's life, to giving money to the needy, using spare time to do volunteer work or putting your troubles aside to support somebody who really needs it. It is not hard to be selfless, but the it does take thought and compassion to constantly see how you could be more positive and helpful to those who need it.

Furthermore it is commonly argued that the virtue of selflessness is really just an offshoot or piece of virtues like courage and charity and not a real virtue. This is not in fact the case, being that really these virtues are just encompassed by the greater good which is selflessness. Courage and selflessness carry the same idea of putting fear behind a person to do well, but courage is not always used to help others and most the time for reward and personal gain. It is in this case that the virtue of selflessness shines above courage because it is for the benefit of others. In the case of charity it differs by the idea of an actual object being necessary for giving. In selflessness, time, emotion and work can be used to benefit others, not just relying on gifts of money or items. This why selflessness as a virtue becomes singular and unique.

In conclusion, selflessness as a virtue seems the most necessary and important for every person living by a just code of ethics. The altruistic behavior displayed by this trait is essential for a society and only creates a better sense of community and relation between people.