Giving
Notes
Claim
A mindset of providing value with no expected return, or out of true desire to help.
Explanation
Altruism is a perception by which we act in a way that is beneficial to others or to society as a whole, even at the cost of our own. Human is a social being
Altruism is often done towards our inner circle, although not exclusively. We might be more altruistic towards our own community, country, etc.. Group membership biases perception and shapes intergroup hostility
Why it matters
However, perhaps it is not surprising that while our goal is the other person's wellbeing, we in the process improve our own, because giving to others is one the best ways to boost our own happiness Happiness is shared
Examples
For example, volunteering around the clock and getting little pay is an altruistic act, similarly donating your kidney to a stranger without getting anything in return. Altruistic acts are therefore acts where you give without expecting something in return, when you have the other person's wellbeing in mind instead of your own.
Supporters
This supports the idea that Humans are good as default, that we were born to connect Communication is in our nature, that we sometimes can beat Preferring personal benefits blinds us to others' perspectives
Giving usually have a Actions spread effects across people and time beyond initial cause, when we are kind to others, they are more likely to be kind in return, and not just to us, to others as well.
Opposers
There are those who claim that true altruism doesn't exist because if it is a choice you made then that means you got something out of it, for example you enjoy the thought that you saved someone's life, or enjoy being a volunteer, but this is ridiculing ethics, in my opinion, since a person who jumps on a grenade to save his friends didn't do this out of enjoyment. Altruism is more a question of obligation than satisfaction Deontology treats morality as duties and rights that transcend consequences.
When we give, we fight the forces of Econs are purely rational agents who maximize utility and Commodification turns non-tradable values into economic transactions. We show ourselves and others that monetary value is not the only thing in life, and especially not the most important one.
Open questions
Visual
Overview
🔼Topic:: Virtuous Disposition 🔼Topic:: Social Connection and Belonging ↩️Origin:: The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos 🔗Link:: https://share.snipd.com/episode/14503de7-6ddb-49a3-bb18-e541cdc9bb8c