# Human beings are the most selfish animals on Earth. Every action we do benefits us, and us only.

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/human-beings-are-the-most-selfish-animals-on-earth-every-action-we-do-benefits-us-and-us-only/506768>\
**Category:** Great Debates\
**Created:** [August 17, 2009, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/human-beings-are-the-most-selfish-animals-on-earth-every-action-we-do-benefits-us-and-us-only/506768 "2009-08-17T19:28:25Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 3

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\
**Post date:** [August 19, 2009, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/human-beings-are-the-most-selfish-animals-on-earth-every-action-we-do-benefits-us-and-us-only/506768/41 "2009-08-19T02:12:23Z")

</div>

For my money, we haven’t destroyed the Earth nearly enough.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![MarcinCiez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b38774/32.png) [@MarcinCiez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MarcinCiez)\
**Post date:** [August 19, 2009, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/human-beings-are-the-most-selfish-animals-on-earth-every-action-we-do-benefits-us-and-us-only/506768/42 "2009-08-19T02:19:30Z")

</div>

> [@foolsguinea](#):
>
> To see hateful, read up on chimpanzee warfare.

Are you talking about the “warfare” in Iraq started by a [chimp](http://www.bushorchimp.com/)?? 🙂

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\
**Post date:** [August 19, 2009, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/human-beings-are-the-most-selfish-animals-on-earth-every-action-we-do-benefits-us-and-us-only/506768/43 "2009-08-19T18:34:54Z")

</div>

I’d like to see an example - any example - of an organism on earth that acts purely for the benefit of some other species, without regard to its own well-being. Even if you accept that humanity’s actions are purely selfish, it doesn’t follow that we’re the most selfish, unless you can demonstrate some level of selflessness in other species.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\
**Post date:** [August 22, 2009, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/human-beings-are-the-most-selfish-animals-on-earth-every-action-we-do-benefits-us-and-us-only/506768/44 "2009-08-22T00:47:04Z")

</div>

> [@](#):
>
> I think he’s suggesting drinking. And posting online.

> [@tdn](#):
>
> Ah. Then I’m fulfilling my end of the bargain.

**sniff**

It’s good to know that the human race can depend on you.

Could you do a little drinking for me? My meds don’t allow me to drink. I can handle my end of the posting, though.

[Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/human-beings-are-the-most-selfish-animals-on-earth-every-action-we-do-benefits-us-and-us-only/506768.md?page=2)