is it LOVE, FOOLISHNESS or mere INSTINCT to Jump and try to SAVE a loved-one drowning...?

Question

knowing you DONT KNOW "How to swim"...

Answer 1

If you don't know how to swim, it's just plain foolishness. You won't help your loved one and will likely perish as well.

It's not instinct, either. When faced with a dangerous or critical situation, humans experience two reactions: fight or flight. Fear or stress may prevent you from thinking rationally and doing the right thing.

To save anyone who is in a threatening situation is the kind of love known as "altruism" (caring about somebody other than yourself). The Bible says, "No greater love hath any man than this, that he lay down his life for his friend." But the story of the Good Samaritan tells us that we should do this even for our enemies.

Answer 2

First and foremost it is the love that will draw you to save your loved one being drowned. The fact that you loved the person you will do everything to save him. Call it foolishness if a person doesn't know how to swim but what matters most is the person you loved whose life is at stake at the very moment needs your utmost attention. I could not afford just seeing a person you loved drowning without doing nothing. Human instinct is present the moment you jump to help and save life. The bottom line is you have tried to save a life! For me, it is a heroic deed if ever he died too from drowning.

Answer 3

Love is an instinct. Foolishness on the other hand is not an instinct because it assumes one knows right from wrong but intentionally chooses wrong. So the answer is foolishness because one knows not how to swim but makes a decision based on ignoring that fact.

Answer 4

Instinct, loved one or not, I think. So what does that say about the theory that humanity is naturally inclined to evil without intercession? Anyway, I reckon that like most things we can learn to swim when we really need to - but it's best to be prepared. My sailor grandpa, off the square riggers, used to say "God help sailors who can swim - they last too long in the water!". He'd seen poor fellows drown after falling from the rigging, especially in hard weather. The ships took too long to turn round, even if the weather and seas would permit it. (On all my boats I regularly practiced pick-up drill - but when I wasn't on board one in a gale a young fellow drowned off her, mostly because the old fellow in charge was more of a fool than I thought he was - otherwise he wouldn't have been in charge)

Answer 5

When you see someone that is drowning your first instinct is to try and save the person who is drowning, so, nothing will make you rationalize about not knowing how to swim.

Answer 6

Instinct is only for those that are naturals, they can swim. Id say foolishness. If they get lucky they'd be both alive. If not, you know the consequences. Love, it depends. What if it was a neighbour who you hated so much for something?

Answer 7

Hi enki~since altruism is based on lack of SELF CONCERN, there simply isn't an selfishness in it--wanted to clear that up. Also, what does an economics prof know about "There is nothing as 'altruism'"? (So apropos for him to think in terms of "pay off.)
We KNOW there is altruism, even when a sacrifice is made for someone not even known. People who perished in fires trying to save strangers.
I'd zap foolishness right off the top.
We can love our fellow human, & in some people, the instinct to save someone in peril supercedes long consideration! Also, against incredible odds, (like knowing how to swim), we'll do the best we can. It's always POSSIBLE. Wasn't there a woman who was capable of lifting a heavy car off her child? Would people have thought her a fool to even try?
I believe it's love, combined with the instinct of those who have love in their hearts to save a life.

Edit: What I described isn't "learned." If it were, from the many cynics, we'd learn just the opposite. We're born with this sense of humanity.

Answer 8

I don't even think it necessarily has to be a "loved one".

I have seen or read plenty of instances when someone jumped in to try to save someone they didn't know. In many tragic cases, they lost their lives along with the person they were trying to save.

I think that we all have a survival instinct in us and that we extend that survival instinct as a casting net to those around us as well. It does, however, effect each one of us differently. Because there is also the basic "fight or flight" instinct.

There are those that would stand around and watch in horror that basically has the "flight" instinct more ingrained in them. Mostly because of low self-image and timidness. Where those who would jump in have the "fight" instinct more ingrained in them, which tends to be the more self-confident alpha-type personality.

Although, we truly never know how we will react until actually faced with the situation.

~jaz~

Answer 9

Instinct

Answer 10

The adrenaline rush of Love & Instinct which takes away your complete fear of drowning, dying or looking like a fool to save the person who is most important to you.