What are your reasons?

      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.

Thinking About Kindness

     Altruism is doing something at a cost or risk. But I wonder if you can still obtain altruism if you think about the act or risk that you are about to take on. I think that the answer is yes. I think that even if you are aware that there is a risk, if you chose to take it, than you are being altruistic.
     Heroism however, I think often involves less thinking. I think that Heroic acts are altruistic acts that are done on impulse, and of course often involve greater risk. For example, pushing someone out of the way of an on coming car is heroic because there was no time to think about doing it, and the risk of being injured was high. But it doesn't always have to be physical risk that is possible. For example, if a friend, or stranger needed a large sum of money for a life saving surgery, and you write them a check, right then and there, no questions asked, emptying your bank account, or even putting a large dent in it, then that is heroic. I think. What do you think?

Pete and Repete are on a boat...

      I think that if I gave all of my food for another to live, it would be an act of heroism perhaps, but it would also be a type of selfish behavior. I don't think I would be able to live with myself knowing that I watch someone else die on my behalf. My act wouldn't be selfless because it is what I want. But then I think, can anything be truly selfless? If you yourself are in every decision and action you make, how could one act be selfless? Does selflessness actually exist?

What is the point?

   If the meaning of life is meaningless, then why not simply live life to the absolute fullest. Sure it's a common, over used saying, but it doesn't ring more true than if life has no meaning. Think about it. If everything you do in your life has nothing to do with getting into a heaven, or being re-incarnated, then why not live your life exactly how you want to.
    But then I think, if we did exactly what we wanted to do, would the would be a horrible place? I think no, because we have the natural morals instilled in us, not to get into heaven, but to live in a civilized society.