2. The nature of altruism. Compared with the previous elaboration on self-interest, we will find that soft altruistic behavior and hard altruistic behavior are still unable to get rid of the essence of self-interest. Soft altruistic behavior is modified by the word "soft" because it requires a certain return, embodies the characteristics of self-interest, and is more reflected in material self-interest. Hard altruistic behavior seems to be covered with pure altruism, but we can still find that it actually gains a kind of spiritual self-interest. Therefore, regardless of soft and hard modification, this altruistic behavior separated from purity is still only one of the self-interested types. Judging from the degree of altruism through limited and infinite efforts, their moral significance is far greater than their economic significance. Limited hard altruism is to directly transfer some economic benefits to the other party, as if you have got nothing. In fact, it has gained indirect self-interest and self-interest as a means. This form is very hidden, and it is also the most popular and common behavior at present. The altruistic behavior of unlimited efforts has a strong moral color. In terms of material benefits, the actor's material benefits are paid infinitely, but he has not gained nothing in the whole behavior. On his value scale, he thinks that spiritual gain is greater than material pay, so he gains spiritual self-interest from his own behavior. In short, no matter from what angle altruism is divided, altruism is only a deformation of self-interest, and it still belongs to self-interest in essence. Of course, here, we attribute altruism to egoism, not to deny the necessity of altruism. The key to the long-term existence of altruism independent of egoism lies in its contribution to maintaining social harmony and stability, providing a stable rather than turbulent environment for economic activities of economic subjects, and promoting economic subjects to get rid of the process of animals pursuing "material instinct" and pursue evolution to a higher level of spirit. At the same time, because the economic subject does not exist in isolation, all his actions must reside in the whole social system. Since there are groups, we should advocate fairness, and altruism plays an important role in promoting the development of society from low to high.
Example:
Self-interest or altruism
In real life, some people have a bad temper and easily break into a furious rage. Some people are kind, patient, polite and humble. To cultivate one's mind and cultivate one's nature, one must first Xiu De; To cultivate your health, you must first control your anger. Some people may say that emotions are human nature and people live in a world full of contradictions. Who hasn't met anything uncomfortable and exciting? However, being angry is harmful to people's health and spirit. The ancients said: "endure a calm moment and take a step back." If a person can be generous, endure humiliation and not argue, he can naturally stay away from right and wrong and live a carefree life.
"The Analects of Confucius Wei Linggong" said: "If you can't bear it, you will make great plans"; Sima Qian said in Historical Records: "Little people can't bear to hurt the righteous"; There is also a folk proverb that "forbearance can give birth to a hundred blessings and a thousand fortunes" and "nothing is difficult in the world, only if you put your mind to it". The Song of Endurance written by Zhang Gongyi in the Tang Dynasty said: "The benevolent can endure what others can't endure, and the wise can endure what others can't endure. Think carefully before you put up with it, and pretend to be deaf before you put up with it. The word forbearance can be used all over the world, and forbearance can be adjacent. Endure indifference to nourish the soul, and endure hunger and cold to stand up. Endure hard work, endure debauchery, and have no illness. " Lin Zexu, an imperial envoy of the Qing Dynasty, also hung the warning of "controlling anger" in the lobby, which shows that the ancient people of China knew the harm of anger for a long time. Lin Zexu is an official of the Governor of Guangdong and Guangxi. On one occasion, he could not restrain himself when dealing with official business. In a rage, he broke a teacup into pieces. When he looked up, he saw his motto "control anger" and realized that his old habit had been broken again, so he immediately declined the help of his servant and began to clean up the broken teacups himself to show his remorse. When getting along with people, it is a sign of lack of self-restraint to get angry easily without distinguishing right from wrong and speculating. People who are too angry should, like Lin Zechu, have self-knowledge, strengthen self-cultivation, pay attention to "controlling anger", be calm and convince others by reasoning, and don't indulge the nameless fire in their hearts, otherwise it will harm others and themselves.
The ancient Chinese medicine in China had an incisive exposition on "anger". Chinese medicine believes that anger is born of qi, and qi and anger are twin brothers. From anger to anger, anger broke out. The common sense that anger will make the liver burn with blood, and anger will hurt the liver has long been widely known. In real life, many people also died of anger and rage. As the saying goes, "a bowl of rice can't fill your stomach, but it can support people to death in one breath." The story of Zhuge Liang's anger and Zhou Yu in history is well known. Zhou Yu vomited blood and died in a rage. Most of the anger in the world comes from greed and selfishness, quarrels between neighbors, quarrels on the road for a little profit or a little harm. If you can treat the fame and fortune in the world with an indifferent heart, your anger will naturally be less, and you will not break into a furious rage for a little gain and loss.
In a person's life, there will always be many things that make ordinary people angry. But if we can turn anger into gratitude, we can turn anger into peace and reach a lofty spiritual realm.
Be grateful to the person who hurts you, because he has honed your mind;
Be grateful to the person who stumbles you, because he strengthens your ability;
Be grateful to those who cheat you, because he has increased your wisdom;
Be grateful to those who scold you, because he taught you patience;
Be grateful to all the sentient beings in your life, because their existence enriches your life.