I might be completely wrong but isn't that kinda similar to the Kantian view of altruism, where complete selflessness is impossible because feeling good about being altruistic is a way you gain from the act and therefore it can't be truly selfless? I think it's pretty reductive to approach it that way as well as the way sciencey people approach it like you pointed out. I always assumed it was a way selfish people could reconcile the contradictions of their morals and actions. By arguing altruism is also selfish they have an excuse not to engage in it.
I always assumed it was a way selfish people could reconcile the contradictions of their morals and actions.
Yeah of course that's a much simpler explanation. I was overthinking it by thinking it is a justification of capitalism, the idea that we're all ultimately selfish so we can't every consider a system based on altruism.
I might be completely wrong but isn't that kinda similar to the Kantian view of altruism, where complete selflessness is impossible because feeling good about being altruistic is a way you gain from the act and therefore it can't be truly selfless? I think it's pretty reductive to approach it that way as well as the way sciencey people approach it like you pointed out. I always assumed it was a way selfish people could reconcile the contradictions of their morals and actions. By arguing altruism is also selfish they have an excuse not to engage in it.
Yeah of course that's a much simpler explanation. I was overthinking it by thinking it is a justification of capitalism, the idea that we're all ultimately selfish so we can't every consider a system based on altruism.