The Importance Of Selfless Service

What does being selfless mean to you? According to Oxford English Dictionary, selflessness is “concern more with the needs and wishes of others than with one's own.” (James Murray, “selflessness”). In our society today, not many people are likely to be selfless especially if it means putting a stranger’s well-being above their own. Many people will not even put a close friend or family member’s needs above their own. Sometimes people find the will to help someone who is in need, but that does not happen very often. Most of the time, if a person goes out of their way to help someone in need, they will expect to gain something out of it such as fame or money. Very rarely do people do things for others that involve harming their lives because then they do not gain anything from their acts. In the novel Kindred, by Octavia Butler, Dana shows her selflessness through always putting people and their needs first. She first does it with her ancestors and then even begins helping other slaves who need her help. Selflessness is an important key to everyone's personality. In our society, we often expect rewards for doing a good deed, however being selfless without getting rewarded is what really counts. When Dana saved Rufus the first time, Margret punched and beat her instead of thanking her. Dana must have been confused since she did not get thanked or rewarded by Tom and Margaret, but rather was beat and almost shot. Being selfless can also motivate more people and even yourselves.

volunteering is a person who freely offers to take part in an enterprise or undertake a task. In this report i will talk about the different types of volunteering in the:

This sacrifice may increase the odds of a soldier participating in unethical situations. When an American citizen sees a soldier in uniform they will formulate their opinions of the military based off of that one soldier. I believe that if a soldier possesses character they are motivated intrinsically and will benefit the Army as a professional by upholding its ethical values.

Selfless service is when individuals place others needs before their own interests. By placing yourself in harm’s way because it is your duty to your nation and being happy that others can succeed is another form of selfless service. Soldiers sacrifice their freedom, their time and their family so that others in this great country can be safe, secure and free.

Although some Americans are selfish, the fact is the majority of Americans are actually selfless. Veterans Day has the selflessness many Americans carry throughout their daily lives. “He was making the flag because he knew how important it was for us to be able to pledge out allegiance to our flag and country” (Sentinel 7). Even though the individual was beaten for sewing the American flag, the continuance to sew for the fellow cell members shows real selflessness. Having a role to provide for another family is shown in I Hear America Singing. “Each singing what belongs to him and her and none else.”(Whitman 12) Being selfless is shown by each family giving up time and money to help community’s strive. Helping others is the main quality described

In psychology, altruism and egoism are two contrasting views on morality, one holding that one should value principles/actions that benefit others over oneself, the other holding that not only are we innately selfish species, but that selfishness is how one ought to act. While both theories of morality are prevalent throughout history and cultures around the world, I will be examining the two sides of egoism: physiological and ethical, and how these can be connected to altruism. These theories are essential because they provide a foundation, development and a further understanding of one’s needs.

Should citizens be required to serve their country for a two year term? The truth is some Americans are useless and are unfortunately procreating, consequently evolving this country into an unpatriotic and lazy mentality. Furthermore the current state of disunity amongst our citizens presents the US with a selfish individualistic image. This may only be a portion of this great country but it is undoubtedly becoming an endemic. All capable bodies should be eager to assist this country in a time of need. American citizens live a better life than they know it, and most are too blind or ignorant to see it. The idea of selfless service used to be a core value to this country, now less than “1% of Americans risk their lives for their country”. America

When an individual puts the needs of others over the needs of themselves one could say this requires courage, particularly if the act puts them in mortal danger. To be categorised as a selfless act the individual must have weighed the needs of the group or individual and found them to be of greater importance than their own needs. To make this judgment would require that person to understand the consequences of their actions. In order to understand this they would need to know the outcome before the act took place. Therefore the action comes from a position of knowledge and if a selfless act is classed as courageous then courage must involve knowledge of what to

Service is an important virtue here in America because service is the virtue that virtue keeps my great country free. Service is giving back to others, or doing something to benefit your community. I personally stand by the this virtue because when I think of the virtue of service, I think of the men and women fighting and serving over seas to protect our freedom so that we can freely practice our virtues in daily life.

Altruism is generally understood as performing an act that benefits others at a personal cost. This means that altruism involves sacrifice. Altruism, however, is not only a physical act, but an emotional undertaking. An emotional undertaking means that altruism is a state of being. Altruism draws intense philosophical, psychological, and socio-political arguments. In as much as most people prefer the benefits that altruism grants to the society, they are wary of its moral foundations. Notably, most famous people in history have essentially performed given altruistic acts that benefitted their societies. It is arguable that altruism provides significant benefits both

The characteristic of selflessness can also be viewed in the Plos One study titled, Social Representations of Hero and Everyday Hero: A Network Study from Representative Sample by Keczer, where the study focuses on heroes and everyday heroes. Keczer states in the results, “Hero and Everyday Hero cannot be differentiated on the dimension of challenge. Both have “self-sacrificing” as a global hub” (Keczer 12). The selflessness and self-sacrificing theme allows for the hero to be in touch with their emotions and will themselves to protect others and sacrifice themselves for the greater good of everyone. The heroes know that they may perish in the battle and so it is selflessness that in turn can create martyrs. Martyrs are the heroes who rally the people, but in the beginning it may just only be they who rise up against evil and it is their death that becomes the catalyst for change. According to the American Journal of

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” “Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile.” The views on community service have changed throughout the years as seen by the change in views between baby boomers and millennials. Baby boomers viewed it as a mandate because if not done they would go to war but now as viewed by many this outlook has changed many believe that millennials have changed this view and view it as an open path towards a brighter future. Although many may argue that community service brings about a sense of morality it must be a free choice due to time consumption, overwhelming stress, and punishment.

The efficiency of service can be looked at form multiple angles. Does the motive behind service less than its effectiveness? I will be exploring just that in this paper by evaluating the net benefit to a community and its lasting impact on the individual performing mandatory versus voluntary service. I was drawn to this topic after listening to Tovia Smith’s podcast, ‘Selfish’ Giving: Does It Count If You Get In Return?. Smith interviews many professionals on their opinion on service done for personal gain. In the article, Community Service, published by the Center for Justice and Reconciliation, they define mandatory community Service as restorative justice for offenders. The Center for Justice and Reconciliation leads a reader to believe that offenders doing community service is no different than when a high school student does it for a college application. I believe that the Center for Justice and Reconciliation is correct that offenders and high school students both partake in mandatory community service but for different reasons. High school students use service to get into college while offenders use service to make amends with the community they have harmed. Both Smith and the Center for Justice and Reconciliation agree that service is good but differ on what makes it efficient. While I agree with Smith's main argument surrounding service, I believe that community service remains effective when you evaluate the motives, net benefit to community, and a lasting impact

Selflessness is defined as the act of giving without the expectation of anything in return. I believe to be truly selfless you have to exhibit a quality of humility, by making a difference in the lives of others in a positive manner.

Before explaining the concepts of liminality and Othering and their connection to volunteerism, I will first explain how volunteerism is scientifically defined and approached. The term volunteerism is a coalescence from the words volunteering and tourism. Stebbins and Graham (2004) define volunteerism as volunteering “in an organized way to undertake holidays that might involve the aiding or alleviating the material poverty of some groups in society, the restoration of certain environments or research into aspects of society or environment (Stebbins and Graham 2004, 211). According to Beigbeder (1991) and Clark (1978), a volunteer is someone who voluntarily offers personal services, time and skills for the benefit of others. Stebbins and