Gratitude is another reason to give. Looking at the world others have
fought and worked to create, having the choice to make our mark is quite
a privilege. Considering the biological side, I consider the benefit of
promoting health and wellness among the tribe and kinsmen a very
powerful motivator. No telling how much of our intimacy and affection is
the result of that, it is likely a large underlying portion and a
successful one. The opposite social tendencies emerge under duress and
imbalance I think, asocial and one-against-all. Do you think modern man
has beat isolationism (the meme)? Perhaps our knowledge and
understanding of the world and ourselves /has/ reached a point where we
can look at a larger picture and say things don't have to be the way
they are, and if people don't try the predators and vultures are
waiting. The new green backdrop I think is just such universalized
principles and values.
Wishing everyone well
On 11/22/2010 10:05 AM, Chris Jenkins wrote:
Back atcha, Molly! :)
If I recall correctly, Dawkins wrote at length about altruism in "The
Selfish Gene". My Readers Digest Condensed Version of his argument is
that altruism is a selfish action which desires to improve society,
culture, the world, whatever, which then indirectly benefits the
actor. We give of ourselves and our resources not because of a direct
emotional empathy; we're generally too far removed from the recipient
to experience much emotional impact. Instead, we give because we don't
want to live in a world where people don't give. We don't want to live
in a world where people suffer, starve, lose everything, endure
horrible illnesses or violence. We want to "make the world a better
place" because we live in it, and want to live in a better place.
I was reminded of this when you said "I think it is true that your
giving spirit comes back to you tenfold", a variation of the modern,
main stream perception of karma. I've generally not given much weight
to that concept, as it's often packaged as part of a universal concept
of justice, with a greater hand somewhere balancing scales. Recently
though, integrating Dawkins' ideas of both biologically driven
altruism, and how memetic evolutions occur, I see karma as the
philosophy of altruism, where the concept of a slow, progressive
social evolution for the betterment of human kind which benefits all
is replaced by the easier to grok direct return for "energies"
expended in altruistic endeavors. It made your statement resonate with
me.
I've dealt with some pretty challenging hardships this year (skirting
dangerously close to the edge of insolvency), and yet there are two
families connected to me by one degree of separation who have already
gone over that edge, and are now just trying to pick up the pieces and
survive. In honest introspection, I see that underlying selfishness,
in hoping that by helping those worse off, I in some way contribute
towards a world which will potentially help me if I fall to that level.
At any rate, that was a bit of a ramble, but your statement fit well
into a long running conversation in my head, so figured I'd share. :)
On Mon, Nov 22, 2010 at 5:46 AM, Molly <[email protected]
<mailto:[email protected]>> wrote:
I think it is true that your giving spirit comes back to you tenfold.
Nicely done, Chris. Blessings to you and yours this holiday season.
On Nov 19, 9:10 am, Chris Jenkins <[email protected]
<mailto:[email protected]>> wrote:
> Every year, we try to do a little fund raising to help those
less fortunate.
> This year is no exception. Despite the challenges we've faced
this year,
> there are several families who are even worse off. If any of you
feel like
> contributing towards a worthy cause, visit
here:http://flmediasolutions.com/help.htm
>
> Otherwise, have a happy holiday, count your blessings, ignore
this email,
> and move on!
