Altruism: Hope or Hoax?

In the beginning…

God created man, created man in his own image, or at least that’s what the good book tells us. The bible also tells us that humans are flawed. We are easily led into temptation and away from God’s light. Therefore away from God’s image and further still from an altruistic behavior.

To truly obtain an altruist state, one would have to truly be a god. I don’t believe that we have it in us to be that selfless. Policeman, firemen, and even soldiers do what they do for ulterior motifs. Maybe it’s the money, or maybe it’s the adrenaline rush of being in life or death situations. I don’t know what drives an individual to seek those kinds of jobs, but, it most certainly is not because of a deep seeded need to serve mankind. Those jobs may be considered public service but, those who seek that kind of profession have a different reason.

What about doctors and teachers?

Again both professions seem to be selfless on the outside, but, I highly doubt there is a doctor in the world that thought “I’m going spend my life doing charity work.” No matter how much you like to learn and attend school no one goes that long without thinking that an education can increase their monthly income. Not one single person. Those drawn into the education field maybe the closest to a true altruist. Educating the masses to better themselves is a very noble career. I compare it to being a parent. Quite possibly the most important thing one could do with one’s life. Most educators are greatly underpaid and underappreciated.

Since you brought it up, what about parents?

I don’t think it’s fair to even bring up parents in a conversation about altruism. Being a parent is fueled by a primal need to protect your young. History has shown us that the extreme opposite also lurks in our society. Those who would do harm to a child or worse. Although for the majority, it’s nature at her best. Parents can’t help themselves. We want to see our young thrive. It’s not altruism, although it shares a common ground.

All right hot shot, Priests, Preachers, Nuns and Jesus.

Pulling out the big gun, eh? Well, to that I say that their motives are obscured by religion.

We think that by default, people drawn to Gods work are selfless individuals. That being a witness to Christ somehow transforms them into something more. Truth is we are all human. Therefore we are all flawed. And a flawed soul is incapable of altruism. I would even go as far as to say that Jesus Christ struggled with altruistic harmony. Although the son of God, he was born a man. Born from the womb of a woman and therefore imperfect. Yes, he had a stronger faith and moral backbone than those around him, but still a human. I believe that his motivation and the motivation behind any religious figure head is pleasing God. Helping the human race to be better humans is simply a fast track to Gods graces.

In closing,

I think it is well within reason to believe that there are those among us who feel the calling to lend a helping hand. I think that we as a population strive to be moral and polite. All good things to be, I would hate to live in a world where humans had forgotten their manners, but, an altruistic society we are not.