Scratch an Altruist...

Watch a Hypocrite bleed.

Although the sentiment is extraodinarily unpleasant, I find myself
in complete agreement with whichever genius coined those words. I couldn't tell you for certain where the thought originated.. or even under which circumstances for that matter. But I was doing some research for university this week and was absolutely floored by those seven words! 

Scratch an Altruist. Watch a Hypocrite bleed.

As a third year student, I've probably done my fair share of study in the field of "Prosocial Behaviour" and.. to tell you the truth the whole concept has always frustrated me.

People performing acts for the good of other people with no expectation of reward or reciprocation? 

I may be slightly pessimistic, but. Honestly? No reward?   

I mean.. for arguments sake.. I'd like to consider myself a decent person. I'm a relationship type of girl who doesn't smoke, or consume animal products. I've got a decent GPA.. unshakeable faith in God.. a sponsored child in Northern Africa...

As painful as this is to admit, the most potent liquid I've ever consumed is a cup of coffee in the south of Borneo! Hahaha. 

The things I do, though. Be them for the good of the planet, the good of a certain species, or the good of a relative stranger. The things that I believe in.. And the things that i've structured my life around.. I've never really considered to have an altrusistic base.

Sure, alot of good may have been acheived along the way -- a lot of animals have lived, a lot of ecosystems have survived.. a lot of people have been comforted and will continue to be so for as long as I continue on this path, but..

I'd be remiss not to acknowledge the truth of the matter! To not point out  that any good which has been done, has been a secondary product of my will to be a decent human!

Although I may consider myself to be "doing the right thing" at an given moment.. Is my desire to be a decent person, not fuelled by my desire to someday make it in to heaven?

Perhaps a bad elabortion. I'm not overly religious.

But if I was to donate money, for example, to a homeless individual. Am I not easing my own guilt? Making myself feel better? Perhaps beginning an interesting tale, which may be rewarded by a chorus of admiration and praise when I finally get around to recounting it?

Even the cliched, "I may need the same help some day. I hope someone will reach out to me" ruse, becomes the opposite of altruistic in this light.

Social Pyschology or no Social Psyhology. I'm fairly certain that altruism is non existant in the purest sense of it's meaning.

I don't by any means wish to deminish the merit of a decent or charitable act here.. I just.. am uncomfortable with human beings who aren't able to take the proper responsibility for their actions.

"I did it because it was the right thing to do."

Another piece of absolute insanity. It's who I am to acknowledge, praise and admire the good in any act I possibly can.. but.

Perhaps consider the guilt and anxiety you'd be avoiding in the event that you didn't "do the right thing". 

Say that homeless individual became very ill because you were not willing or able to hand over a few coins or notes... You'd feel terrible. Guilt laden, and filled with self-rapproach! 

What are you avoiding by "doing the right thing"?


I sound terribly pessimistic and awful, and for that I truly apologise. As I said.. I'm appreciative for all of the good in the world.. And I will never stop trying to bring more and more about. I just am highly irritated by the type of people who claim to be above others, in the sense that they are altruistic.. when.. I don't believe such things to exist.