Help, fight side by side? are expressions that synthesize this human being’s ability to leave himself to help others. This behavior, called altruism, which is driven by the moral effort that comes with it, has become a scarce good at the same time. when materialism and selfishness play an important role.
But who hasn’t experienced that comforting energy you feel when our support relieves someone else’s burden?Science has recently discovered the neurological basis of this pleasant experience. It turns out that when we help someone selflessly, a part of the brain is activated related to the feeling of pleasure. Now the word is the key to this sentence. Let’s see why.
- From any point of view.
- Altruism is desirable.
- From a biological point of view.
- Cooperation between individuals guarantees the preservation of the species.
- Psychologically speaking.
- Giving and receiving support relieves stress.
- Strengthens self-esteem and emotional bonds and promotes personal improvement.
- While from an ethical and spiritual point of view.
- Altruism.
- It is a value that builds us and connects us with the transcendent.
Yes, this is all true, but is it always good to help?At first glance it seems so, but given the complexity that characterizes us as human beings, the answer is not as simple as we imagine.
It is the motivations behind driving aids that make the difference. They can be numerous, some more commendable than others. First, there is the true compassion that comes from seeing someone who is in danger, going through a difficult time, and we have decided to offer our help selflessly, expecting nothing in return, only wishing the good of the other. In this case, there is no “hidden interest”, but this is not always the case.
Sometimes, surprisingly, people help us feed their egos, eager to receive social recognition and admiration; others, because in exchange for help they gain an advantage, such as a career rise; and some, because they reinforce the sense of superiority on which they depend or because they do not trust each other’s ability to solve problems for themselves. Helping can also be a way to control our peers, consciously or unconsciously, doing them in a similar way, false altruism can be coldly calculated to deceive and manipulate others, in the form of a trap.
Interestingly, sometimes the help given with good intentions has exactly the opposite effect, and instead of making life easier for the other, what happens is interference in their natural course, so in some situations help can undermine each other’s initiative. others, as is the case with overprotective parents who, trying to avoid their children’s problems and sufferings, do for them what they can do for themselves, however sooner or later they will face the difficulties and challenges of life they face. they will not be prepared, because, ironically, they have received too much help.
When we feel the desire to help, it is important to follow our intuition, but that is not why we must stop thinking about our true motivations What do I look for with this?Admiration, control, feeling important?, do I give the fish or do I learn to fish ?, do I have an advantage to help?Or is my only motivation really to help and make the other happy?
Altruism is a beautiful gesture that, in its purest form, can definitely make the world a wonderful place; However, we must not forget that a bad time to practice or a bad motivation can even harm others, but when the question arises between helping or not helping, it is worth testing our hearts and not letting deceptive intentions eclipse their original beauty. .
Image courtesy of Jose Téllez