Quote:
|
Originally Posted by All Systems Go
Can it really be called benevolent when the act is done to make yourself feel good?
|
For most day to day actions I'm not sure an individuals stated motivations are that important (since they often seem to retrospective rationalisations of behaviour which relatively little thought went into). The other day I was at a train station and saw a woman struggling with a pram on the stairs, so I went and assisted. Did I do it because the woman had some sort of milfish qualities? Or because I'd feel bad if I didn't? Or to impress the person I was with? Is it a piece-meal attempt to build socialist solidarity?
Well, truth be told I can't remember but I choose to believe it's another example of my benevolence. Ultimately, it doesn't seem to matter much and is probably a combination of all the factors I've just mentioned.