kevin's+Altruism

1. Are we, as some might say, motivated by a desire to save our off-spring?

We are motivated by a desire to feel less guilt rather than to save one's off-spring. People may claim that saving one's child is something that they would always do but, its a fact that they would only save the child if the risk was lower than the guilt.

2. Must there always be some sort of intrinsic reward for doing good? In a way, yes. This is because people want to be rewarded for doing something, and that people will behave in a way to make themselves prouder and gain power.

3. Mr. Otis once said, "That having integrity is doing the right thing when no one is watching." If this is so, and no one knows when we have done good, would you still do good?

For me, if no one would ever find out, i would not do good unless there was some sort of benefit for me. I am far too lazy and want to save my time in any way possible, thus i would not be doing good without reason.

4."Delayed reciprocal altruism", seems like a gamble - back to game theory, any way. Does this seem to make sense to you. That is that we act out of a desire to have what we have done being done to us?

Yes this makes complete sense. There are times where one is compelled to act a certain way because of the way someone has been treating you. For instance, if a friend does you a favor, it makes you feel as if you should do them a favor so that you can feel less guilt about yourself.

5. Are we ever being truly "selfless" when committing an act of altruism?

I don't believe its possibles for a person to be truly selfless. This is because of the fact that everyone in the world looks out for Number one: themselves. One may act selfless, through donations to charities, working for free, etc... but each and every person has a main goal or an ulterior motive to acting that certain way. It could be making yourself look better or even making others seem worse. The case is, no one would spend their own time helping others if no one else cared.