Slightly Interesting Views On Ponder-Worthy Philosophical Prompts

More important to help yourself, family, society, or the world?

As suggested by Itty2Bitty:

17. "Is it more important to help yourself, help your family, help your society, or help the world?" 

Itty2Bitty: I don't think there's one specific answer. If you see a person in need I do believe you should help them, but if it was a scenario where you had to choose to feed your family, you, or a stranger, I'd feed my family. My answer shouldn't apply for everyone though, because I take it to extremes. If a friend calls me and says they're feeling depressed, I drop everything to run to their house and help them because if they hurt themselves I wouldn't be able to stand the guilt. 

In my opinion, your family and friends come first, although you can't forget to help yourself sometimes, especially if the family member is abusive or verbally bashing you; you have to help yourself sometimes. I know from experience that if you try to help everyone, you just end up depressed and feeling unloved because, in a way, when you've abandoned yourself to help someone else, you've chosen someone's well being over your own. 

However, I still believe in being selfless in times, such as deciding not to go to the mall so you can help a friend who's feeling depressed or suicidal; choosing to spend your time with your mom or dad instead of staying in your room and watching netflix alone, helping them when they need it. But if you take this to extremes, it's very easy to lose yourself when you're constantly taking care of others, which I know from experience. When I spend all my time on my friends (while I love them and would die for them), I tend to feel like no one notices that I need help too, that I can feel depressed as well. Sometimes you have to let someone in and help yourself. 

There's no one right answer but in the end, if we have the power to do it, we should help anyone who needs it, as long as they aren't threatening you or could possibly hurt you.

Ibis: Is it important to help all these different persons/groups? Depends on your goal. I mean, if you are looking to be an American ally, you're probably not going to want to be seen giving nuclear missiles to North Korea.

Assuming everyone was cool with each other then I would say that, yes, it would be most important to help everyone, cause you can cover all the previous groups equally.

However, how boring would life be if everyone got along splendidly? It would be like watching paint dry. Everyone loves a brilliant criminal, even if only on occasion. 

In my opinion, I think that it's most important to help yourself in most cases. Now, at this point you may be saying that that's a bloody selfish thing to do! In most cases, yes, this would be considered a selfish way to go. However, if you yourself are broken and suffering, how much can you really help others? Personally, I believe that you should help yourself first so that you can better help others.

For example, if you are the main worker in the family and the entire family got ill, who would you want to get better the fastest? One of the kids, the stay at home spouse, or the provider for the family? Obviously, however selfish it may appear, you would have to help yourself first, since if you die then what comes of your family?

Now, in the last instance, is helping yourself first to better help your family(or someone else) still a selfish act?

Again, if you are spending all your time helping others and completely forget about yourself, you're bound to be in bad shape, either physically or mentally; if you want to help the world, you must first help yourself.