Why do I do the right thing? Well there is a method to my madness...
I'll let you know what that method is when I find it.
I'll let you know what that method is when I find it.
Poll: Why do YOU do what is right?
- Thread starter Doitpow
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I'm thinking, in this thread, more of a "Why do I help people" versus why am I good in general.
I don't expect a reward, they never come. No karma especially - I've the worst luck a person could have really.
I certainly wasn't raised to be a good person. My dad's advice was "Don't get caught." with my mothers "Do as I say, not as I do... (but also I remember I reverse psychology everything I say.)"
I think it was more of a frustration with the entire population - humanity as a whole. None of them really lived up to the standards other people had of each other. Gratitude free, ungracious, self-helping and constantly complaining that everyone else was just like them.
At some point in my life, I realized I could only change myself and just decided upon myself to journey into being a 'good person'. Baby-steps, but after many years, I've collected many good qualities.
But no friends. Being exploited for being a good person is almost as bad as being a good person. Karma does not exist. I've never been rewarded for being a good person. Not in a spiritual sense and especially not in a material sense. But especially not in a monetary sense.
I half use the bible as a morale compass with the "thou shalt not's" as best as I can.
(I'm not one of those obsessed devout worshipers who uses the bible as a history book!)
I don't expect a reward, they never come. No karma especially - I've the worst luck a person could have really.
I certainly wasn't raised to be a good person. My dad's advice was "Don't get caught." with my mothers "Do as I say, not as I do... (but also I remember I reverse psychology everything I say.)"
I think it was more of a frustration with the entire population - humanity as a whole. None of them really lived up to the standards other people had of each other. Gratitude free, ungracious, self-helping and constantly complaining that everyone else was just like them.
At some point in my life, I realized I could only change myself and just decided upon myself to journey into being a 'good person'. Baby-steps, but after many years, I've collected many good qualities.
But no friends. Being exploited for being a good person is almost as bad as being a good person. Karma does not exist. I've never been rewarded for being a good person. Not in a spiritual sense and especially not in a material sense. But especially not in a monetary sense.
I half use the bible as a morale compass with the "thou shalt not's" as best as I can.
(I'm not one of those obsessed devout worshipers who uses the bible as a history book!)
I want my damn Light Side Points, that's why.
I occasionally lend a helping hand to people in need because I'd most likely appreciate help if I was in their situation. And because it satisfies my gargantuan ego.
I occasionally lend a helping hand to people in need because I'd most likely appreciate help if I was in their situation. And because it satisfies my gargantuan ego.
*shrug* Whatever. Because nobody chooses to do what's right, that's the basic function. What someone does is always the right thing. Because if it was the wrong thing, they wouldn't do it.
I do it because it is far easier to just be nice than being a raving douche. Causing trouble just causes more trouble to deal with. Whereas being nice generally shuts everyone up. I like things quiet.
Most people tend to frown on the religious answer, but I find that following the Bible or whatever other religion you looking at tends to lead to positive results. Heck the good book says not to murder or sexually offend women so I think thats a pretty good direction.
It's like my AWESOME world geography teacher says "The point of religion is to do good and find happiness"
It's like my AWESOME world geography teacher says "The point of religion is to do good and find happiness"
Pretty much the most selfish reason there is for doing good: I feel bad when I don't, and I feel good when I do. No religion compelling me, no moral code I follow, just my stupid conscience bothering me when I act like a dick.
Altruistic spritualism...kinda. I do what's right because it's right and it needs to be done, I don't expect a reward for doing what is right but through being the one doing this I'm attainaing a higher goal in a spiritual sense.
I generally don't if you don't consider avoiding people at all costs and hating babies along with the people who insist on making more the right thing to do. But when I do it's generally for a spiritual "heaven" idea.
I act nice because people who see you be nice believe you are nice and will inadvertedly let you get away with shit more often.
Well it really is complicated. I think it's really two separate questions.
Why do I do "what is right"?
And:
Why do I think that I ought to do "what is right"?
The first one is deeply introspective and I can't really answer with full certainty. And in any case it is bound to be caused by a great deal of factors that science has yet to uncover. So I will spare you the arrogance of pretending to know.
The other one I am all to happy to answer though. I adhere to the "tit for tat" system derived from game theory. It states that one should always begin interactions with others in a friendly way and then repay in kind any behavior the other person displays towards you. In some cases it however might be reasonable to employ a variation of this tactic known as "tit for tat with forgiveness". That is simply to every now and them restart the interaction with a friendly attitude to prevent the it from spiraling into a constant stalemate of revenge and retribution. That way you can minimize the hostility (and therefore mutual loss) that could arise from misunderstandings or accidents.
The point of this system of behavior is to maximize both your personal gain and the gain of all others around you. And the success of the system is determined by how big a proportion of the people you interact with adhere to the system and how prolonged your interaction with them is.
Why do I do "what is right"?
And:
Why do I think that I ought to do "what is right"?
The first one is deeply introspective and I can't really answer with full certainty. And in any case it is bound to be caused by a great deal of factors that science has yet to uncover. So I will spare you the arrogance of pretending to know.
The other one I am all to happy to answer though. I adhere to the "tit for tat" system derived from game theory. It states that one should always begin interactions with others in a friendly way and then repay in kind any behavior the other person displays towards you. In some cases it however might be reasonable to employ a variation of this tactic known as "tit for tat with forgiveness". That is simply to every now and them restart the interaction with a friendly attitude to prevent the it from spiraling into a constant stalemate of revenge and retribution. That way you can minimize the hostility (and therefore mutual loss) that could arise from misunderstandings or accidents.
The point of this system of behavior is to maximize both your personal gain and the gain of all others around you. And the success of the system is determined by how big a proportion of the people you interact with adhere to the system and how prolonged your interaction with them is.
Beyond a very basic core morality 99% of us can agree on -- do not kill, do not rape, do not steal -- I think one man's right is another man's wrong. I don't take a strong stance on too many things. When I do, I tend to think of the pragmatic answer as being the right one.
Why do I tell the truth, pay my taxes, stop for pedestrians, hold the elevator door? It's just how I was raised. There is no reward expected.
But that's only a basic level of right. Why do I volunteer at the homeless shelter, mentor struggling math students, and mow the lawn of the elderly lady down the street without being asked or expecting payment? Simple. I *don't* do those things.
Why do I tell the truth, pay my taxes, stop for pedestrians, hold the elevator door? It's just how I was raised. There is no reward expected.
But that's only a basic level of right. Why do I volunteer at the homeless shelter, mentor struggling math students, and mow the lawn of the elderly lady down the street without being asked or expecting payment? Simple. I *don't* do those things.