You’re trying to merge in traffic, someone else lets you in. At the grocery, you allow a person in a hurry to go ahead of you in the checkout queue. You get back to your car only to find someone has put money in the parking meter.
A new theory called “survival of the nicest” says that because of kindness, the human race prospered as a species. Research shows kindness can also make us happier.
A study of 2016 found those who regularly helped other had better mental health and lower rates of depression. Other studies found helpful people were likely to fall ill from chronic disease, and tended to have better immune systems. Kindness can help regulate emotions, which has a positive impact on our health.
One synonym for the word kindness is the term humanity. Kindness is essentially a recognition of the fact that we’re all human, an acknowledgment that we’re all in this together.
It’s easy to train ourselves to be kinder. We should simply do more acts of kindness than we usually do, and do them on a regular basis.
Groups with many altruists tend to survive. Altruists cooperate and contribute to the well-being of fellow group members.
So what is altruism?
In wikipedia.org:
Altruism is the opposite of selfishness and can be distinguished from feelings of loyalty and duty.
Altruism focuses on a motivation to help others or a want to do good without reward, while duty focuses on a moral obligation towards a specific individual (for example, God, a king), a specific organization (for example, a government), or an abstract concept (for example, patriotism etc). Some individuals may feel both altruism and duty, while others may not.
Pure altruism is giving without regard to reward or the benefits of recognition and need.
Simple model of altruism
When both Persons 1 and 2 cooperate, they both benefit.
If Person 1 cooperates but Person 2 defects, then Person 1 is altruistic and pays a cost.
Learn more at http://www.altruists.org/
Sources: Reader’s Digest, Wikipedia
Imagine a world where everyone is just a little kinder. See how you can help others here.
6 Comments
Does it mean that altruism requires the absence of cooperation?
Very good information, thanks for sharing.
@intelliGines
Thanks Derek.
Major thanks for the blog post.Really thank you! Keep writing.
@intelliGines
Thanks Douglas. And thanks for dropping by.
I saw this really great post today….
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