Altruism

[Azure-Supernova]

So, I had some people from the church come knocking on my door today and they asked for a donation for the people of Haiti. I said no. They asked me why. I said I just don't want to, then they looked at me like I'd just told them to fuck off. So I asked them why I should donate and this was roundabouts their response:

"Compassion for your fellow man. They have very little and need your response. Aren't you concerned for their well being?"

And then I shut the door on them. I was gonna put this in Religion and Politics, but really it's about neither. Do you believe in Alrtuism? It was selfish of me I'll admit, but I simply don't care, I've got problems of my own and I don't know anyone in Haiti.

What about everyone else? Do you practice Altruism, do you even believe in it?

Spoiler: Altruism

The principle or practice of unselfish concern for or devotion to the welfare of others (opposed to egoism ).

EDIT

Just so my point isn't missed completely here (which I felt it is and it's my fault for that), I'm asking if Altruism is a valid response. Since clearly the two people automatically expected me to donate money because of altruism, were they right to think that?

 

[Legion]

I practice altruism to an extent, basic courtesy such as holding a door, letting driver being held up by other cars make a turning for example, regardless of whether it holds me up. I will also put my small change into charity boxes most of the time I buy anything.

I do not give money to charities upon request however, registered charities are a business more than anything. I also resent strangers asking me to give money for a cause they probably don't give a damn about.

You could have given better reasons and a more reasonable response for not donating though, I feel your attitude was extremely immature.

 

[cuddly_tomato]

Yes I do where I can.

A bit of compassion won't hurt you know.

 

[Kuliani]

So that it's not confused, I'm not for the even distribution of wealth, but I am for practicing altruism in real life. If someone is going from supporting themselves to not being able to under no fault of their own, I feel such sympathy for them that I will give what I can to help them out. Note that if it was their fault for falling into ruin that I will not help them out.

As for the case of Haiti's earthquake, I gave generously to my sister's organization since they were one of the first to have their doctors on the ground and helping the initial wounds from the quake.

 

[Katherine Kerensky]

I am altruistic by my very nature.
I cannot help but help others, even if at no reward to myself.
Of course, not much I can do about monetary support unless I have money...

 

[Disaster Button]

I don't really believe in Altruism in a really broad sense but if I'm there, have some money, and feel like doing it I might make a donation.

I only really donate to things I care about or support. Like the other day I supported a guy in town doing something about education.. I don't really remember but it was about a campaign for equal education or something like that I don't really know.

But I've been told I'm a bit of a dick so maybe that explains why I'm not very altruistic.

 

[AvsJoe]

I tend to be altruistic to a fault at some times and a complete asshole at others. For instance when I got evicted from my apartment almost 8 months ago I had nowhere to live but I had recently got paid so I had a couple hundred bucks. When my ex-roommates found out about this I got swamped with arms asking for charity. I ended up giving about $400 to them and had to spend the night on the streets rather than a motel room.

I was FURIOUS when I found out that one of my ex-roomies spent the money I gave him on weed.

 

[Azure-Supernova]

You could have given better reasons and a more reasonable response for not donating though, I feel your attitude was extremely immature.

It pretty much was yeah. I just didn't want to, simple as that. It's my money, I have little of it and it's all I have to live off, I need it. I don't see why I should have to give a reason for not wanting to donate.

 

[siffty]

ill only give to something where i can see the money being used like the wheelchair support group that use the donations for sports equipment for disabled kids that's something ill back but when there is a massive disaster im kinda a dick when it comes to it cozz i don't actually see if it is going to use

 

[Susano]

I have one charity that I would ever give to, I don't trust others to spend my money wisely.

 

[Azure-Supernova]

Yes I do where I can.

A bit of compassion won't hurt you know.

I'm not saying I'm completely callous when it comes to humanity, but when it comes to giving to any charity I simply pass. I don't believe in giving to charity and I probably never will. That doesn't mean I won't help another being if they were in need.

 

[Legion]

You could have given better reasons and a more reasonable response for not donating though, I feel your attitude was extremely immature.

It pretty much was yeah. I just didn't want to, simple as that. It's my money, I have little of it and it's all I have to live off, I need it. I don't see why I should have to give a reason for not wanting to donate.

I can understand not wanting to not donate. However you could have simply said everyone but the last sentence to them and left it at that, you don't have to give a reason to them, but why the hell not? Are a couple of words really that difficult? You don't come off as a jerk that way and their day is that much more pleasant.

I don't blame people for not wanting to be altruistic, but there is no excuse for a lack of basic courtesy.

Spoiler: Ayn Rand disapproves of this thread.

OT: It's a very noble virtue, don't see how anyone could disagree with it in principle.

Then again this is the internet...

I am reading 'Atlas Shrugged' at the moment funnily enough.

 

[DannyBoy451]

Spoiler: Ayn Rand disapproves of this thread.

OT: It's a very noble virtue, don't see how anyone could disagree with it in principle.

Then again this is the internet...

 

[DeadlyYellow]

So, I had some people from the church come knocking on my door today and they asked for a donation for the people of Haiti.

Take a tip from Jeff Foxworthy: Draw a chalk outline on your porch and throw a few religious pamphlets around it.

My experiences in Chicago have turned me rather cynical. Nor do I have money to throw around. The most I offer are occasional small services and kindness.

 

[Azure-Supernova]

You could have given better reasons and a more reasonable response for not donating though, I feel your attitude was extremely immature.

It pretty much was yeah. I just didn't want to, simple as that. It's my money, I have little of it and it's all I have to live off, I need it. I don't see why I should have to give a reason for not wanting to donate.

I can understand not wanting to not donate. However you could have simply said everyone but the last sentence to them and left it at that, you don't have to give a reason to them, but why the hell not? Are a couple of words really that difficult? You don't come off as a jerk that way and their day is that much more pleasant.

I don't blame people for not wanting to be altruistic, but there is no excuse for a lack of basic courtesy.

It may have had something to do with the fact that it was 8am and they'd been knocking at my door for two minutes straight, maybe it was because they'd woken me up, maybe it was because I am a jerk.

 

[MurderousToaster]

I'd give money to Haiti, or whatever, if I have it.

I won't give random people money or anything. I'll help a person with a broken arm if they fall over, but not someone without one. It's entirely subjective.

 

[Legion]

EDIT

Just so my point isn't missed completely here (which I felt it is and it's my fault for that), I'm asking if Altruism is a valid response. Since clearly the two people automatically expected me to donate money because of altruism, were they right to think that?

Were they right to think you should give money as they are less fortunate? No. Altruism is a nice idea, but reality is harsh, not everyone can afford to give away their money, even if it's a small amount.

People are different; some care about humanity as a whole, some care as far as the people they know, others only care about themselves. Altruism is not something to be expected as it is not human nature.

It may have had something to do with the fact that it was 8am and they'd been knocking at my door for two minutes straight, maybe it was because they'd woken me up, maybe it was because I am a jerk.

I wasn't judging you as a person, more in that circumstance; but as you said, it was early and they seemed to expect a donation so I can see why you'd be pissed off.

I also know that feeling. I had a couple of Jehovah's Witness' knocking on my door repeatedly over the space of a few months (I must have wrongly given them the impression that I was interested in what they believed) they haven't been around in a while so maybe they have finally realised.

 

[Azure-Supernova]

I also know that feeling. I had a couple of Jehovah's Witness' knocking on my door repeatedly over the space of a few months (I must have wrongly given them the impression that I was interested in what they believed) they haven't been around in a while so maybe they have finally realised.

I usually tend to humour anyone that comes knocking, I'll plainly tell them I'm not interested but some of them are rather rude indeed and will be relentless in their struggle and in the end shutting the door on them is the only way to get them to leave me alone.

But I feel in this aspect, apart from the early morning visit, I was being rude. I knew I was being rude but I just wanted to go back to bed. Back on the note of altruism, you're right, it is subjective.

 

[Therumancer]

This will probably surprise some people, but I do believe a bit of compassion can go a long way. I believe in giving a bit here and there when I can. Of course the issue matters a lot as well.

I've given my opinion on Haiti before, and I admit I have little support for that cause as cruel as it is. However for American problems like the plight of the Homeless, treating sickness, etc... I'll drop some change when I have it.

By the same token if a country like the UK or Australia needed help, being close allies, and with all the things they have backed us on, I would also likely drop some change if I saw a donation box and had it.

Some might find it an excuse, but honestly I also tend to think that altruism and charity on a large scale can have the opposite effect that was intended. For example, it's hard to turn your back on people starving to death, but looking at some of the African nations and such that we help, we're never going to solve problems related to the climate and it's abillity to sustain a population. All we do by distributing food is maintain a population in misery for a longer time, and make them dependant on our aid. Ultimatly dealing with an endless cycle. As cruel as it is, stepping back and letting the population reduce to the abillity the land can sustain would probably result in more good over a period of centuries than maintaining the current situation.

Of course this is tempered by the fact that I wouldn't want to be left to die that way, nobody would, and honestly I freely admit that despite the logic I'm not entirely sure I could pull the trigger (so to speak).

 

[The_ModeRazor]

Not really altruistic here.
More on the (somewhat lonely) grey-blur morality side.