... of their loved ones before themselves; blood is thicker then virtually anything, as it very well should be. The problem one encounters is that there are a select group of philanthropic selfless individuals out there who do place the benefits and interests of complete strangers or non-family members before even the benefit of themselves. It would be impossible for this idea ... sister. This presents a major obstacle for the idea of natural selection. If the underlying motive that compels individuals to act is fitness maximization, then how does this theory explain altruistic selfless beh...

• Word Count: 2643
• Approx Pages: 11
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... all-powerful and predestining, but the will is free, and the one who believes and hopes in God must act as though for himself, but act out of a completely disinterested, selfless love. Nowhere does Augustine suggest that any of this is easy. The Christian is clearly aware of the trials of earthly existence and feels strongly the dilemmas of living as ... an isolated individual subject to a commandment that requires him to think himself part of a completely selfless and loving community. The damned can live in the world as they see it, but the blessed are doomed to live, for the time bei...

• Word Count: 2720
• Approx Pages: 11
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... Jesus. Furthermore Simon resembles Jesus throughout the whole novel, and is presented as a Christ-like figure. Simon can be regarded as a Christ-like figure because he manages to perform many selfless acts, he possesses many qualities equivalent to those of Jesus, and the death of Simon and Jesus are very alike. Simon is one of the only boys who stay behind ... ...

• Word Count: 3388
• Approx Pages: 14
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... pass on to the reader. While the never-ending adventure is clearly the more superficial aspect of the story, the ongoing battle between the good and evil, the selfish and selfless, the honest and the fake, adds that extra something to this simple story. Two of the main techniques employed by this nineteenth century author are first-person narration and a constantly ... ...

• Word Count: 3333
• Approx Pages: 13