h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

If conscious thought regarding our actions makes us self interested, then the only true 'altruism' is unconscious action.
So how do you achieve action without conscious thought?

Is it possible to do without thinking?
Possibly given the definition of the training cycle

Training Cycle
Unconscious Incompetence-Subject does not know we cannot perform the task because we have not tried it before. e.g. Driving a car for first time
Conscious Incompetence-Subject has attempted the task for the first time and realise it is not within our current skills. E.g. First few driving lessons.
Conscious Competence-Subject has received some tuition or attempted task and refined performance to a stage where task can be performed to a reasonable level e.g. passed driving test
Unconscious Competence-Subject has performed tasks for a loner period and has gained experience to a level where actions are performed without apparent thought e.g. Driving for a number of years.

Assuming they have reached the stage of 'unconscious competence' the subject is not consciously thinking about their actions. However they have attained this state by forgetting to think about the action being performed.

What does this mean for 'Altruism and unselfish action?

If 1000 good deeds are performed, at some stage the action of performing those deeds will move into unconscious thought. Until then the action is performed with thought, making the subject selfish, not altruistic.

To quote Bruce Lee
"It is like a finger pointing toward the moon. Don't concentrate on the finger or you will miss all that heavenly glory".