Does atruism exist?

The debate about whether "true" altruism exists has a long history.  The detractors say that there is no act of sharing, kindness, helping, or sacrificing can be called altruism, as the person performing the act is receiving an intrinsic reward in the form of personal gratification.

Some people say that donating blood is an act of altruism.  Detractors say no.   The regular blood donors are rewarded with the knowledge that they are contributing to saying lives and also they are rewarded with a glass of juice and a cookie after donating blood.  The fact that there is a reward negates the fact that it may be altruism.

Same thing with donating a kidney or some other organ.  You are rewarded by others viewing you as a hero and you get a lot of positive attention for doing so, therefore, also not altruism.

What about giving to charity?   Nope, you get a tax receipt.  Volunteering?  Nope, there are numerous studies that show that the volunteer benefits more from the experience that the organization the the person volunteers for.

What troubles me most is the amount of literature and research out there attempting to refute altruism.  What does that say about us as a society?  Why are we so determined to prove that basic kindness and human decency doesn't exist?   Wouldn't be better off collecting examples of compassion, kindness, and selflessness?

Common sense tells us that if you are looking for what is right you will find it.  If you are looking for what is wrong, you will also find that.  You have to decide which type of person you want to be.

I want to be the kind of person that believes that true altruism exists.   Please prove me right by commenting with your examples of kindness and selflessness.

Comments

  1. Andrew Last8 March 2017 at 11:51

    I try to help someone in need if I have the opportunity

    ReplyDelete

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