Altruism, according to the Advance English Dictionary, “is the quality of unselfish concern for the welfare of others”. Indeed, man has no right to exist for himself alone, sacrifice and service to mankind is to be of the highest significance.
However, the type of society in which we live in is such that suspects every act of good will. As much as people would always want to be altruistic, egoism always triumph. We have come to mistake altruism for so many vices, hindering our ability to reason properly and make the right decisions. In our immediate environment, goodwill is often viewed with suspicion. Anyone with the intent of benevolence is regarded as having ulterior motives, ranging from immorality to being diabolic, and then such persons are dejected and eventually becomes egocentric. Those with the genuine interest of assisting the community either end up hanging their philanthropic boots or become ‘lime-light humanitarians’.
Gradually, the purpose is lost and the rationale behind altruism is abandoned. Service is rendered to the needless and the ‘big-hearted’ are convinced of authenticity. This unconscious state of recklessness and imprudence has in so many ways lead to the several problems threatening to ruin our society. What should be expected when the ‘lime-light humanitarians’ are encouraged to do much more? What should be expected when the ‘fortunate’ secures the receiving end of the line firmly? It is quite simple, desperation to do more, on the part of the ‘public-spirited’, and desperation to obtain more, on the part of the ‘fortunate’.
Apparently, this is one aspect of our being that we have successfully disregarded. If only we can endeavour to look into this as a driving force for those involved in unethical and demeaning acts to continue fuelling their philanthropic spirits, some of our biggest problems might actually get resolved.
The smart ones are always quick enough to recognise exploitation when they sense one, how about those who unsuspectingly let themselves be manoeuvred into indecorous situations?
