Altruistic acts are certainly to a great degree selfless. I think the debate is weather or not there is any act of altruism that does not have, in some small measure Altruistic acts e, a payback for the giver. For instance, serving at a homeless shelter is certainly to a large degree a selfless act. However, if the server feels good about helping and their self-concept is improved as a result, does this still qualify as a selfless act? In therapy I often encourage mildly depressed clients to perform volunteer work. I have found that their sense of self-efficacy and self-concepts are often improved after engaging in altruistic acts.

1. I am certain that there are examples of completely selfless acts but I wonder if they rarer than one would think. What do you think? Is true altruism rarer than one may think or are some people too cynical?