Self interest does not negate the possibility of kindness and cooperation.

Man's nature is Reason .
(The capacity to Choose)

Human nature is fundamentally selfish. It derives from the fact that we developed greater intelligence than any other species on the planet. Therefore, we don't depend on others for survival. Interestingly, intelligent individuals (human) , by virtue of their "selfish" actions, often end-up creating and/ or facilitating conditions that are of benefit to others. On the other hand, those that preach altruism often times depend on others for their well being or livelihood ( you know, like the Hollywood types who rely/exploit their fan base to make the big bucks.

LOL, yes it is! Cephu should have hired all those clattering idiots to build a skyscraper or a fishing boat so they wouldn't have to all hold a stupid net. There's a reason their collective society doesn't have better technology than a village hut. Because they are thinking in an altruistic manner, and it has robbed their society of technology.

Even when we do some thing generous to others we feel good about our self. That good feeling is what we are after it could be turmed selfish. Most people will not do anything unles there is something in it for them. Human nature is selfish but revbill is right. It dose not negate the possibility of kindness and cooperation.

There is no such thing as a selfless act (altruism as generally accepted). To the point of sacrificing one’s life for others there is the benefit of seeing one’s will done. Even a preacher believes he will benefit in the after-life from his preaching. The example in the article only demonstrates the reality of peer pressure, and that the individualist acquiesced to the group. However, did he not in doing so, see greater benefit in co-operating since it would improve his social standing among the group? He could have left the group with his quarry, and being a successful hunter he certainly would have found others to follow him. This is how we moved from the primitive is it not? He was simply the first individualist upstart in his group. His acquiescence and game had more personal benefit as an exchange for good will, good standing in his community and future trading of production. The notion that banishment meant certain death is specious since it is apparent he was the superior hunter. In any case we are all specialists now trading in what we do best through the medium of money. We are no longer primitives in a tribe. Well most of us anyhow! LOL

As Gblaze47 has stated, we do have the capacity to place ourselves in other people’s shoes and feel sympathy, but when we act upon it with charity there is a return of sorts in the good feeling one feels when helping others. I would not call it altruism therefore.

Regards,
O.A.

I think that human nature is combination of the both selfishness and altruism, we tend to be altruistic because we have the capability to associate with others, to be able 'to put ourselves in their shoes'