I think it was the selfish gene that introduced me to the idea that even the most selfless altruism is still selfish, because it’s there to either further human survival or to make the person who donates feel better. The feeling better about themselves is a bigger joy than the helping
there are systems in place that know how to allocate funds better than just giving it to someone
(and yes some of these orgs are bad as well)
but imo there is a way to be altruistic and share a small percentage of your income towards and org with a good reputation (and hopefully some research was done)
which is far better than walking up to vulnerable people. sticking a camera at them and handing them bills
If the goal is human survival, then I don’t see it as selfish. In that case, the whole species is being selfish, but the individual is altruistic. Altruism does exist - evolution works on many levels, which makes many things possible. The Selfish Gene is a pretty good book that is still interesting even after all the decades, but sciece goes on and we now know much more.
I have never trusted people who did philanthropy porn and I never will. It’s all self-serving.
I think it was the selfish gene that introduced me to the idea that even the most selfless altruism is still selfish, because it’s there to either further human survival or to make the person who donates feel better. The feeling better about themselves is a bigger joy than the helping
there are systems in place that know how to allocate funds better than just giving it to someone
(and yes some of these orgs are bad as well)
but imo there is a way to be altruistic and share a small percentage of your income towards and org with a good reputation (and hopefully some research was done)
which is far better than walking up to vulnerable people. sticking a camera at them and handing them bills
Especially when doing so makes you more money than you gave away.
Altruism involves real sacrifice IMO.
If the goal is human survival, then I don’t see it as selfish. In that case, the whole species is being selfish, but the individual is altruistic. Altruism does exist - evolution works on many levels, which makes many things possible. The Selfish Gene is a pretty good book that is still interesting even after all the decades, but sciece goes on and we now know much more.