A selfless good deed?

[bobgadjet]

Who's Pearl?

I think it's a north of the wall thing

[bobgadjet]

...You know, I'm glad I'm not sitting on high passing judgement on whether souls go to heven or hell: if it were up to me, everyone would remain in purgatory!

Is that anywhere near Aberdeen then ?

[El Salsero Gringo]

Does this Citation for the Victoria Cross count as selfless?

I'd say so.

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[Lynn]

Acts of Martyrdom or self-sacrifice I would not class as "selfless" because the individual is consciously acting in the interests of either 'the greater good' or how others will remember them.

Can't agree with that - most people who are killed for their belief don't really help any 'greater good' and few people know about it. Self-sacrifice - someone can give their last meal to another hungry person a stranger - the person who gave up the meal then dies - that isn't for the greater good, it only helps one person. And no-one might remember it and the person they helped might never even know their name. There have been many acts like this in quiet forgotten corners of the world, out of sight in prison camps etc. People who have little, seem more able to give everything away than people who have plenty.

I think a selfless act is when you consider someone elses needs as greater than your own. You don't have to do it without thinking, you can be aware that it will disadvantage you to help that person. You don't do it to make yourself feel better, you do it because someone has needs and you meet those needs. (And not for praise or glory as the person may not even know who has been the one to help them, and no-one else might know either.)

I'm not saying that its wrong to thank or give credit to someone who has done something for someone else - but that's not the same as them seeking reward.

[Stuart]

Does this Citation for the Victoria Cross count as selfless?

I'd say so.

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Absolutely!