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I never understood the statement, "I want to give back." What are we giving back, and what and why do we owe anything? Haven't we paid enough bills during our lifetime?

DarwinistOne 7 May 15
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39 comments (26 - 39)

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2

I keep hoping that something I do will prevent some suffering somewhere sometime. Doesn't seem to be working well or consistently.I feel like a thwarted Fairy Godmother with a broken wand.

"I must ask, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?" asked the somewhat startled old man.

To this, the young man replied, "The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them in, they'll die."

Upon hearing this, the wise man commented, "But, young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can't possibly make a difference!"

At this, the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, he said,
"It made a difference for that one.”
― Loren Eiseley

@dare2dream yep... that's cool.

@dare2dream What a heartening story. If I can make at least one person smile in a day, then I feel as if I've done something good.

You just did. You reminded people there good and decent people out there trying.

2

What a callous thing to say.

Darwainian and consistent with her handle, more than callous, but I hear you.

I took this thread as a philosophical question.

@dare2dream I think most of the people on this site are either presenting questionable view points for the debate of the ideas or are playing "devil's advocate" to ignite conversation. I've does this so it makes sense. I do like your perspective. A question of knowledgeable philosophic introversion is so much better than a negatively delivered ignorant and judgemental validation of a social construct like a "fact". Well done

2

Only the things l borrow. There have been gifts l wanted to give back, but that would be rude. ?

1

Thank you for bringing up the "give back" thing. I talk to the people covered on our local news on my television, I say, "What the heck? You have guilt? Who do I owe? But I think that it is just the newest craze to contribute and be connected to our community or our state, or our country, or our social services, or our species or our families, or our leaders, or our pets...Hey I like that last one. He is my buddy and my best supporter indeed. So, to my cat Dazzle, I give back.

1

You have a hidden agenda in this message. What were you thinking about prior to making this post. Example: something or someone screwed you over and why should you give back to them or thiers?
I'm willing to think that's what happened. You got mad at something else while making a post of giving back. If I'm right... send me a message.

1

The best i could do @ short notice;!!

Coldo Level 8 May 15, 2018
1

Giving back is a common parlance to express the gratitude some feel for the opportunities they've recieved that have helped them in their life and the desire to create similar opportunities for others.

Honestly, it's a mindset that should be applauded. Even if think someone is doing purely for selfish reasons like praise or publicity, the core message of "giving back" is "I didn't get this far on my own." It's a recognition of the role society can play in our own success.

1

To me if you habe neans, ability and time , its an opportunity to do for more than oneself.

I am fortunate, in retirement i plan on helping people. Not sure what yet.

1

To me if you habe neans, ability and time , its an opportunity to do for more than oneself.

I am fortunate, in retirement i plan on helping people. Not sure what yet.

1

.....and what about those who've gotten scant help along the way ?
Is it a "as I recieved, so shall ye get' type of thing ?
Are they actually owed the good others have had ?
Aaaaahhhh the perplexities of existence and our space of time within it !
Yay. And verily.?

0

Giving back is a fancy way of saying donating, or basically charity. It is true that in its most base sense of things that we owe the world not one damned thing.

I know I didn't ask to be brought into this world, I am guessing you feel the same. So in that frame of reference indeed "Aren't we paying enough dues already!?" Is a perfectly valid mindset to have.

Then again, it does feel good to do good things for people; even small stuff. Those who want to give back can range from those who have risen above their dire situations and empathize with those less well off, to those who merely pity those they deem as lesser.

I have always argued, mostly as a "devils advocate" that altruism is not at all 'selfless' as it does involve some form of selfishness either emotional or logical.

It is virtuous to pay it forward - not because it feels good but because it is our duty.

Only cynics don't believe in altruism.

Duty does not always feel good when doing it. Example: A soldier diving on top of a grenade to save his friends. Maybe he felt a second or two of pride but that will be overshadowed by being torn apart and his future canceled.

@dare2dream virtue for the sake of virtue is about as far removed from duty as can be in my mind. Then again I will argue against the notion that virtue is a duty until I'm blue in the face.

I see duty as mere obligation. So now virtue is an obligation, see where I'm coming from?

Obligations don't feel good either, often about as good as that metaphorical grenade.
Death and taxes, my friend.

0

Giving back is a common parlance to express the gratitude some feel for the opportunities they've recieved that have helped them in their life and the desire to create similar opportunities for others.

Honestly, it's a mindset that should be applauded. Even if think someone is doing purely for selfish reasons like praise or publicity, the core message of "giving back" is "I didn't get this far on my own." It's a recognition of the role society can play in our own success.

0

I always thought about giving back, as just passing on ‘learned’ things to others. I have as far back as I can remember wanting to know things and ‘the truth be known’, I knew so very little! The people in my environment had little education or interest in knowledge! And, once I was exposed to the world and what wonders it had...I wanted other people to be as excited as I, about knowing stuff! So my motivation has never been about material things...just giving back knowledge!

0

Yeah... it's a feel good statement.
Someone wants you to know how charitable and community oriented they are.

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