[dejb]

Buffet is undoubtedly a great investor. But I have a slight feeling that could be doing this more for altruistic reasons rather than personal profit. He might believe that he can inject enough confidence in the system by his reputation then maybe he can help improve things. Not necessarily by enough for his investements to pay off but to avoid a worse fate for the financial system. Remember the guy has committed to giving away most of his fortune already. Anyway it is just a theory, good luck to him either way.

[pg]

Clearly he wrote the essay to be altruistic. But I doubt very much that he's buying the stock to be. Buffett would never be so arrogant as to think that one person can affect the markets. The whole thing is infused with the sort of fatalism about markets that any successful investor learns to have.

[ca98am79]

Dude - Buffet didn't become the richest person in the WORLD by being altruistic. Think about it.

[aaronblohowiak]

[citation needed] - he wasn't a crooked thief. There is a surprising lack of scandal surrounding him (i'm not one to care what consenting adults do in privacy.) He is a substantial philanthropist and value-based investor.

[SwellJoe]

I'm not sure I understand how a lack of badness equals "making investment decisions based on altruism", or how they can be conflated in any way.

The way I'm reading the "debate" here is ca98am79 saying, "Buffett has no history of investing for altruistic reasons. He invests to make money, and is the most successful person in the world at doing so." And you're saying, "Stop calling Buffett a crook! He's a value investor and a philanthropist!"

He, obviously, didn't call Buffett a crook. He said that Buffett is a successful investor that invests to make money.

It's like two totally different conversations where both are true, but they aren't talking to one another.

[dejb]

Well he won't be the richest person in the world after he completes giving away 30 Billion of his money the the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation either (if he is alive by then). He has stated he doesn't plan to pass on a significant share of his money to his children. Think about it.

[known]

I believe Buffett is always competing with Himself.