Quote Originally Posted by hoglahoo View Post
Would you say that taking the path of least possible gain could qualify as what we generally think of as an altruistic act?
Personally I reckon the closest we come to a truly altruistic act are the split second decisions, the kind of help that is over in seconds or minutes and changes someones life for ever.

Ultimately, though, what's wrong with just saying something was the right thing to do? Or just plain old vanilla helpful?

I don't understand why people need to believe altruism exists. It doesn't make us better or worse people, I kind of prefer the idea that every one who helps me feels good about it, that's why people keep helping each other.