2007-12-03 03:29:00 · 13 answers · asked by TTC 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
before you say a nutured spirit consider that even harden murderous criminals experienced it at one time or another.
2007-12-03 03:30:02 · update #1
ahhhh...the LADY IN RED...lol
2007-12-03 03:32:41 · update #2
ahhhh...the LADY IN RED...lol
2007-12-03 03:32:42 · update #3
Some murderous criminals may not have experienced it. Google "detachment disorder" -- it's the disorder that sociopaths have and it occurs when a baby is neglected. It's common in underfunded foreign orphanages where there aren't any adults to nurture babies and very young children.
EDIT: Ooops, it's actually "attachment disorder". See:
http://www.emedicine.com/ped/topic2646.htm
2007-12-03 03:43:07 · answer #1 · answered by STFU Dude 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Altruism and compassion are part of our natural state of being. When we see truly selfless acts committed by human beings it is usually during a great catastrophe. When the world is falling apart and nothing makes sense the human mind stops thinking and conscious awareness takes over and we just do what needs to be done. Compassion and altruism not only helps others it makes us feel really good - another clue that it is just who we are.
Yes, self interest is the basis for all acts that originate in the human ego identified mind, however, those that originate from beyond the limiting thinking mind are evidence of the nature of our unfiltered pure awareness.
2007-12-03 11:51:07 · answer #2 · answered by Tamara S 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I personally believe there is a balance... for everything. Kinda like yin and yang. We, as humans, may not always be balanced... but we embody both 'good' and 'bad'.
Some would like to argue we only do 'good deeds', or show compassion to others out of selfishness (treat others how you wish you be treated)... and they may be right, because in the long run, the majority of us feel 'good' after 'doing good' for others. However, I think that's rather irrelevant as everything we do affects us anyway... so really, any action we take can be simply defined as 'selfish'.
I guess what I'm trying to say is this question can be answered many ways because there is no single correct answer. Your question is very philosophical, so the best I can suggest is for you to research the base concepts of 'altruism' and 'compassion'... and you'll start to develop your own views on the topic (assuming that's why you're asking the question - you may very well have your own views on this topic already and just wish to see what everyone else thinks).
2007-12-03 11:47:52 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Empathic response. The nature of the human brain is such that we can conceptualize and utilize abstract thought. We can 'put ourselves in their place'.
As for 'altruism', I argued with my psychology lecturer over this. He reckoned that every act of kindness or of charity is ultimately selfish/self-interest. We are 'good' to people because we expect to get a reward, or be well thought of. This increases our chances of reproduction with othe rdesirable well-thought of people...?
My mental jury is still out on that one. Being a Brit, I was raised to 'do the right thing', so helping an old lady across the street might make me feel good and hence be associated with self-interest, but also don't want to see her struggle or be knocked over.
Maybe it is both? Altruism comes from both self interest AND empathy/love to our brethren (the human race)?
Grrr, I'm such a hippie.
2007-12-03 11:32:37 · answer #4 · answered by Bajingo 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
altruism and compassion are survial skills. Societies which have these factors as well as others tended to survive better than those that lived in chaos. As those societies flourished-the brain chemistry--genetic predispostion with nuturing towards those things were selected over societies which were chaotic. Evolution in action.
2007-12-03 11:34:05 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Empath Depotâ¢
2007-12-03 11:32:25 · answer #6 · answered by Murazor 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I blame June Cleaver
2007-12-03 11:31:57 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
where "do" altruism and compassion come from?
I don't believe in altruism - everybody does everything for a reason, and that reason always includes a bit of personal gain or satisfaction.
compassion comes from being able to relate.
2007-12-03 11:39:49 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Human relational-associative empathy. You see someone suffering and you can relate to it because you've suffered too and thats a negative experience.
Animals experience it too.
2007-12-03 11:32:36 · answer #9 · answered by he_whose_name_must_not_be_spoken 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
As social animals, it's written in our genes. Without it, we wouldn't be able to survive in a group.
2007-12-03 11:31:59 · answer #10 · answered by Eiliat 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋