Altruism

What Hacker News says

1. schaeferJun 2019
   It's true that "The Selfish Gene" has been a science-based classic of evolutionary biology for over 40 years. But it's also true that in those 40 years a lot of studies have taken aim at the central arguments of the book and in my opinion cast serious doubt on the accuracy of the books conclusions (Or perhaps limit the scope of those views as being a projection of western culture - but not of all cultures on earth, particularly not eastern philosophy, and not the animal kingdom at large)

   If you have never read any of these counterpoints, but find that the conclusions of Selfish Gene have shaped your world view, please consider reading some of these counterpoints and seeing if they persuade you to consider new perspectives.

   A particularly thorough book detailing these counterpoints is Matthieu Ricard's book:

   Altruism: The Power of Compassion to Change Yourself and the World

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2. davidjnelsonJul 2017
   You may enjoy the books "Happiness" and "Altruism" by Matthieu Ricard, who's been called the "happiest man alive" based on extensive brain scans. His advice is basically to help others in practical ways, as well as more abstract ways such as loving kindness meditation. Tldr: helping others takes attention off of "separate self", which is a common cause of suffering. Wish you the very best!
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3. galephicoApr 2015
   Altruism - Mathieu Ricard

   Search Inside Yourself - Chade-Meng Tan

   Bible - several authors

   Siddhartha - Hermann Hesse

   Fight Club - Chuck Palahniuk

   Eléments de Philosophie Angélique - Denis Marquet (french)

   Au coeur de l'instant - Jean Bouchart d'Orval (french)

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