Pure altruism does it exist?

[garinda]

Originally Posted by keetah992000

would the person who gave you a cheque have placed it on the floor and walked away without even konwing if you had picked it up ? or did they have to know that it was you who had personally taken possession of it ?

The person wanted me to have the cheque, and make use of it whatever way I saw best.

Leaving the cheque on the floor, for perhaps someone else to find, wasn't an option. This person, who like I said earlier, isn't someone I know very well, is certainly no fool with their money.

It was an act of kindness, that demanded no recognition or thanks. I hope I spent the money wisely, and that it was used in the spirit it was given.

[keetah992000]

Lilly she is serving god so i would say not.

i hope nobody thinks i am being opinionated - i am just interested what others think.

We all look at the world through different eyes after all.

Garinda i know it is breaking the meaning right down - but that is why i put pure altruism, and i am no philosopher lol ( maybe after a few pints ) and i hope you are doing well, you have some very kind people around you and i am guessing you are a person who does many nice things for others it was obviously your time to get some back xx

[garinda]

Since I mentioned it, I'd better give a little background as to why that one act meant so much.

First of all, it wasn't about the money, or the amount. It was the act itself.

I knew for a while something was wrong with me. I'd known for years in fact, but like so many people do, I chose to ignore it, and had put off going to the doctors.

The day the person gave me the cheque was the afternoon I'd just come back from seeing a neurologist, who confirmed I had Parkinson's Disease.

I was thirty nine and felt that my life was over. I knew very little about the condition, other than the tremor, and from what I'd read in a booklet the doctor had given me, on the way back in the car.

It very much painted a worse case scenario. Eventual loss of speech, confined to a wheelchair, etc., etc., that sort of thing.

My only God given talent had been art, and I had used that to go to art school, get a degree, and then forge a very enjoyable, and successful career in fashion, in London. All that it seemed would be taken away from me, as well as my independence. No more living the high life, jetting off round the world, and being single the thought did cross my mind that who the hell would ever want to love me now?

So, sat in my mum's kitchen, probably at the lowest I've ever been in my life, in comes this person, who I don't know very well, to ask what the doctor had said. This person then went away, only to return a short while later.

That is when the cheque was given, with the proviso that I could do whatever I wanted with it, as long as it made me happy.

The cheque could have been a bunch of flowers, picked from the roadside. It was the act itself. Giving me something, anything. An act of love, from one person to another, when I most needed it, which touched me the most, and which I'll never forget.

I did actually use some of the money, besides the acupuncture, on seeing the doctor again privately, because I desperately need more information regarding the treatment, and for which my six monthly NHS appointment didn't answer.

The question as to how I spent the money was never an issue. The person told me to do with it what I would, and I doubt they'd even worried if I spent it all in the pub.

Happily, emotionally I'm in a much better place right now.

Who knows, some of that might be down to that moment of kindness by that one person.

[keetah992000]

I hope your acupuncture is helping

i can also say that the medical system absolutely stinks in the way that they say - "here this is what the problem is, here is a ****ty pamflet, off you go, come back in six months and you will be able to ask me all the questions that pop into your head over the next couple of weeks, but even then i wont give you a straight answer.

but anyway...... i am glad you are in a happier place.

[garinda]

We did have another thread, as to what Bob Geldof's motives were, regarding his charity work, in which altruism was raised.

http://www.accringtonweb.com/forum/f...ear-14020.html

[keetah992000]

thanks Garinda

[LancYorkYankee]

Originally Posted by garinda

Are there people who act without the need for praise or recognition, either physically or spiritually, yes, in my opinion.

I agree with Rindy's thought here. I know many people who do things casue it's just the right thing to do. Even if just to bring a bit of joy or light into someone's world.

Some would say that my belief in God drives me, and many others to do these sort of things. However, it is rare that I think that I'm getting "another jewel in my crown" for such act or deed.

Heck, what about Mez putting me up when I go over there for a visit. okay, she does get a witty, charming, hunk of a man staying with her for a bit, but I really don't think this is her reason!

Or how bout the simple acts of those who offered to buy me a pint while over there? Mez buying a bunch of candies for my kids? Or the complete strangers who gave me a pound for the parking thingamagig in Ashton-Under-Lyne? Or Bernie giving me Ianto's cane for a keepsake, etc, etc, etc?

I think nice people do things just cause they're nice people!

Brian

[jaysay]

I actually think that any one who helps others, without any thought for themselves or what may come out of the situation to benefit themselves are very few and far between, but there are such people. There are a lot of so called stars that do good things nowing that recognition will come back in other ways and they will reap he benefit. The best acts of compassion for others from so call stars, are the ones you never hear of.

[cashman]

i know a guy that was a complete drunkard,was a buggar for fighting,etc etc, who at great expense went abroad to help the sickn disabled, voluntery would you say that is altruism keetah? or just evening things up a bit.

[keetah992000]

i would say he did it to better himself and do something with his life

but i dont know him.

[Neil]

Originally Posted by keetah992000

i hope nobody thinks i am being opinionated

Don't worry about that, there are several opinionated members on here and we still talk to them

[garinda]

Originally Posted by keetah992000

i would say he did it to better himself and do something with his life

but i dont know him.

We don't know why he, or anyone else for that matter, does what could be perceived as acts of kindness.

Does it really matter why, as long as they are doing something that will help someone else?

It the world was filled with even more people who make someone elses burden a little lighter, that in my opinion is good thing.

[Margaret Pilkington]

I think nice people do things just cause they're nice people!

Brian[/quote]

I agree. Many people do things for others without desiring anything in return.....it is called 'Paying it forward'.....and it is like putting credit into the bank of kindness.
I would hope that if I do anything for someone, they would perform a similar kindness for someone else instead of paying me back....hence paying it forward.

[WillowTheWhisp]

So Keetah would you say that just because someone feels good after they have done something nice for someone else that turns it into a selfish act rather than a selfless one because they have personally gained a good feeling from it?

[flashy]

i often give people things without wanting a reward