You could be right. You have an interesting perspective, that's for sure. The problem is that so many aspects of this conversation are deeply theoretical.

Okay, the free thing is becoming one of semantic distinctions. I was referring to a "cost" from a monetary/bartering perspective. I accept the distinction you are making, but we were approaching it from different angles.

The self-serving thing...hmmm. There is self-serving, and then there is self-serving. If you are saying that altruistic behaviour is by definition self serving, then I understand your point, but would argue that one who has the internal reward system for being nice is operating on a different (and better) level than one does not have that internal system.

Blimey. Was that sentence long enough for you?

This is veering into evolutionary sociological territory I think. Dawkins and his selfish gene.