Altruistic or Selfish?

So... are we by nature, altruistic or selfish? or neither? or both?

i'd say, we are both. depending on the situation. life is a competition amongst the genes that we carry, a competition to see which set of genes can propogate the faster, for the longest. so when it is in the interest of that set of genes to be selfish, then we are selfish. but there are times when we human beings best survive and best excel when we work together. that is when we are less selfsish, more altruistic. (put it this way, no one really wants to spend much time around a selfish person... so a selfish person really wouldn't have much chance of scoring now would he/she?).

actually... these ideas that i'm putting forth aren't original ideas. they can be found in the book 'The Red Queen' by Matt Ridley. i don't agree with all the theories he has in the book. but there are a lot of theories in there that make sense. like how life, society, civilisation, etc. are nothing but complex mechanisms for our genes to propogate. so even things like morality, ethics, and all other similar nonsense are nothing but mechanisms that enable human beings to be better able to propogate our genes. i.e. we only obey 'laws' and work together so that we can ensure sufficient peace and stability and safety for ourselves to go on with the task of propogating our genes (i.e. have kids). but when it benefits us to break these laws, to not work together (like if i can steal all your food with impunity...) and that breaking these laws and not working together actually helps us in propogating our genes (if i steal all your food, i'll have more to feed my kids and your kids will die, and thus my kids will have an advantage... and if i won't get punished for my act...) then yes.. we will break the law.

we are slaves of our genes. we are but automatons in our genes' relentless, meaningless march of propogation.

i suppose it is less depressing to not believe in this theory and believe that there is some greater purpose to our life (i.e. God, etc.).