Icelander said:

Even if I were to give up my life for something or someone it would be because I though it was the right thing to do the best thing to do, the most loving thing to do, the thing I should do, the most spiritual thing to do. All that satisfies me in my own eyes and makes me feel good about myself or within myself.

CAN'T YOU FUCKING GET THAT!

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deCypher said:

Do we ever behave in a way that is ultimately motivated by something other than the desire for happiness or the aversion for unhappiness?

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Silversoul said:

Does the fact that you feel good about it mean that that is the reason you're doing it?

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deCypher said: I personally think that the pursuit of happiness and avoidance of unhappiness is the best underlying explanation of all our actions.

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Yes, you could also describe it as doing the right thing, that satisfies ones personal beliefs making one feel like they are living up to personal ethics. Which of course give a feeling of satisfaction on some level. This does not mean others do not benefit from a selfish act. In fact people often do. I can give examples if you like.

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Ahimsa said:

Altruism is the best egoism

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deCypher said:

Please give another ultimate motivation then as an alternative theory.  I personally think that the pursuit of happiness and avoidance of unhappiness is the best underlying explanation of all our actions.

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If someone is willing to undergo torture and not give away the information their torturers want, that doesn't sound like pursuing happiness to me.  Of course, you could always say that it makes them happy to know they're doing the right thing, but that's why this assertion is an unfalsifiable cop-out.  It takes the fact that someone willingly does something, and equates whatever their goal is with "feeling good."  But "feeling good" is too vague a criteria, and can be attached ad hoc to anything someone does.  They had a reason for doing something, so they must have "felt good" about it, right?  Give me a break.