I think that being happy that others are being helped is a good thing, and possible. It happens all the time. For example, think of telethons. Have you ever personally called that 1-888-number to donate to the Katrina Fund, or the Haiti Fund? I haven't, but I certainly was happy that all of this money was being donated to help.
What I think is a problem, however, is if the only way a person can be happy is if help is only coming from them. So, for example, if the only way John Doe can obtain happiness is to be the only one who helps a person in need, then there is far too much selfishness involved in that. This is kind of what is asked in the Q&A this week. If John wants to be happy, and so he goes out to help others so that he can find joy, it is virtuous, but not altruistic. It is not how one should really live. One should strive to be more altruistic, or at least less selfish about attempting to be more altruistic.
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