Are We Truly Selfless, or Is There Always a Selfish Motive?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcJxRqTs5n

I remember watching a fascinating video on the evolution of morality in primates. It showed monkeys exhibiting empathy and a clear understanding of fairness. This wasn't surprising to me—I've never viewed animals as entirely "separate" from humans in their capacity for social emotions.

But it did spark a deeper question: how far does that empathy extend? And more importantly, what truly motivates our "good" deeds? This led me to reflect on the theories of altruism, and I found myself caught in the middle of a classic debate.

There are two primary ways of explaining why we help others:

• The Empathy-Altruism Hypothesis suggests that we help because we feel genuine empathy for the person in need. Our actions are truly for their benefit.

• The Egoistic Explanation argues that our "altruistic" behaviors are ultimately motivated by self-interest. We help others because it makes us feel good, relieves our own distress, improves our reputation, or leads to some future reward.

Reflecting on this, I see truth in both.

In my own line of work, I do good things for others on a daily basis. I chose this job because I want to help people, which feels altruistic. But at the same time, I receive financial compensation. This raises an honest question: If I weren't getting paid, would I still do this work?

Most likely not, because I need money to survive. While there are many jobs that pay well, my choice to enter a helping profession was driven by a desire to help others while also receiving that financial gain. The two motives are completely intertwined.

I also think of celebrities who don't necessarily need more money. When they engage in philanthropy, is it a purely altruistic act? Or could it be an egoistic motive—a way to look good in the public eye and maintain a positive image?

Honestly, I feel like both motives are so closely related that it can be impossible to separate them. Given the society we live in, where reputation and self-interest are so highly valued, egoistic motives are incredibly common and perhaps unavoidable. It leaves me wondering: Can any good deed ever be truly, 100% selfless?