I feel the same way and want to point out a less utilitarian and more selfish effect. I think it’s not hard for people to envision a world where people truly cherish. Cherish themselves, each other, possessions and everything around them. I’m assuming all of us (except maybe some neurodivergent beings) have had moments where we can see the beauty of everything. Walks in nature can easily trigger this effect.
This sort of appreciation for everything seems to be the basis for almost every religion and can now still easily be found in stoicism and Buddhism for instance. The teachings there suggest that one meditates for those around them and in return gains clarity and love. We gain something by giving.
I think it’s powerful to point towards those selfish effects if we want to redirect people’s beliefs and intuitions to include everything as objects to cherish. Grappling with the unwholesome reasons of doing something wholesome is just another part of that practice.
At the basis of giving and helping is both the rational ethical choice and also the “warm fuzzies”. These warm fuzzies can be there whenever you’re ready and they’re completely free.
I feel the same way and want to point out a less utilitarian and more selfish effect. I think it’s not hard for people to envision a world where people truly cherish. Cherish themselves, each other, possessions and everything around them. I’m assuming all of us (except maybe some neurodivergent beings) have had moments where we can see the beauty of everything. Walks in nature can easily trigger this effect. This sort of appreciation for everything seems to be the basis for almost every religion and can now still easily be found in stoicism and Buddhism for instance. The teachings there suggest that one meditates for those around them and in return gains clarity and love. We gain something by giving.
I think it’s powerful to point towards those selfish effects if we want to redirect people’s beliefs and intuitions to include everything as objects to cherish. Grappling with the unwholesome reasons of doing something wholesome is just another part of that practice.
At the basis of giving and helping is both the rational ethical choice and also the “warm fuzzies”. These warm fuzzies can be there whenever you’re ready and they’re completely free.