Caring: Why and How Far?

[Prebe]

I think it would be interesting to research the interplay between genetically coded instincts and cultural patterns of behaviour.

I.e. Are cultural incitements for altruism rooted in genetics? Are the altruistic actions we perform actually a form of non-selectively advantageous kin-selection? Is xenophobia simply the antithesis to kin-selection?

[Avatar]

Altruism and genetics.

Rushton JP, Fulker DW, Neale MC, Blizard RA, Eysenck HJ.

Three questionnaires measuring altruistic tendencies were completed by 573 adult twin pairs from the University of London Institute of Psychiatry Volunteer Twin Register. The questionnaires consisted of a 20-item Self-Report Altruism Scale, a 33-item Empathy Scale, and a 16-item Nurturance Scale, all of which had previously been shown to have construct validity. For the three scales, the intra-class correlations for the 296 MZ pairs were 0.53, 0.54, and 0.49, and for the 179 same-sex DZ pairs were 0.25, 020, and 0.14, giving rough estimates of broad heritability of 56%, 68%, and 72%, respectively. Maximum-likelihood model-fitting revealed about 50% of the variance on each scale to be associated with genetic effects, virtually 0% to be due to the twins' common environment, and the remaining 50% to be due to each twins' specific environment and/or error associated with the test.

One of many. What prejudices me against this is the fact that Rushton is involved in this paper, a man whose scientific objectivity is questionable at best.

He has spent a good deal of time in the past trying to show a correlation between race and intelligence, his research is funded by a known racist foundation, and has been shown lacking several times in the past.

I'd be much more interested in an anthropological study, and indeed, the recently read book I've mentioned once or twice touched on it very interestingly. (If it's still here at work (belongs to my boss), I'll see if I can find the relevant quote to post later.

--A

[Prebe]

Is that the guy behind The Bell Curve?

[Avatar]

Didn't know that, but a cursory look does suggest that at least, his "research" was used to support it.

(This is the guy who I mentioned to you before when we were talking about peer reviews etc.)

--A

[Furls Fire]

So, you ask why care.

I can answer that simply, altho the answer is only for myself. And may not be the answer you are seeking Av.

I care because that is who I am, and who am I? I am one of God's children. He set my feet on this path of life in infancy. So, to live as He wants me to live, I do for those of His children who lack the means, will, voice to do for themselves. Because, you see, I'm one of the "haves", and it is within my power to do all I can for the "have nots". And there are so many out there. So many lost, starving souls living in such despair...the heart breaks when looking at the full scope of it. But, I also believe that "God helps those who help themselves", and by that I live as well. I (we) give to the organizations that help those to help themselves. Then, of course, we give to many medical research organizations (ACS, AHA, AmFAR, UNAIDS, UNICEF, MDA,...etc).

Why should we care? Because we are all part of the same race, the human race. Skin color, religious preference, sexual preference, cultural identity...they are just details. What we ALL are is human. And when I see a fellow human in pain, it is my nature, my path, to help.

peace

[The Laughing Man]

So, you ask why care.

I can answer that simply, altho the answer is only for myself. And may not be the answer you are seeking Av.

I care because that is who I am, and who am I? I am one of God's children. He set my feet on this path of life in infancy. So, to live as He wants me to live, I do for those of His children who lack the means, will, voice to do for themselves. Because, you see, I'm one of the "haves", and it is within my power to do all I can for the "have nots". And there are so many out there. So many lost, starving souls living in such despair...the heart breaks when looking at the full scope of it. But, I also believe that "God helps those who help themselves", and by that I live as well. I (we) give to the organizations that help those to help themselves. Then, of course, we give to many medical research organizations (ACS, AHA, AmFAR, UNAIDS, UNICEF, MDA,...etc).

Why should we care? Because we are all part of the same race, the human race. Skin color, religious preference, sexual preference, cultural identity...they are just details. What we ALL are is human. And when I see a fellow human in pain, it is my nature, my path, to help.

peace

The Gospel of Truth

[Kymbierlee]

Duchess wrote:

Who wants to be cold or hungry? Who wants their children to be cold or hungry? I realize my money is a drop in the bucket towards what is needed, but even if it helps one person, one family, that is enough.

Duchess- you are a peach. Good post.
Kym

[Kymbierlee]

Furls Fire wrote:
So, you ask why care.

I can answer that simply, altho the answer is only for myself. And may not be the answer you are seeking Av.

I care because that is who I am, and who am I? I am one of God's children. He set my feet on this path of life in infancy. So, to live as He wants me to live, I do for those of His children who lack the means, will, voice to do for themselves. Because, you see, I'm one of the "haves", and it is within my power to do all I can for the "have nots". And there are so many out there. So many lost, starving souls living in such despair...the heart breaks when looking at the full scope of it. But, I also believe that "God helps those who help themselves", and by that I live as well. I (we) give to the organizations that help those to help themselves. Then, of course, we give to many medical research organizations (ACS, AHA, AmFAR, UNAIDS, UNICEF, MDA,...etc).

Why should we care? Because we are all part of the same race, the human race. Skin color, religious preference, sexual preference, cultural identity...they are just details. What we ALL are is human. And when I see a fellow human in pain, it is my nature, my path, to help.

peace

Furls- you can share that peach with Duchess. You two have always been inspiring to everyone here, even those of us who aren't able to be here as much as they would like.

Personally, I try to do what I can. I picked four charities I believe in and have the money automatically deducted from my paycheck. They range from Dogs for Disabled Americans to the Nature Conservancy. If I pass a begger on the street (not often in my neck of the woods, fortunately) I almost always give them some change, although it would be better to buy them a sandwich and a glass of milk. I'm finding that the longer I am here working at the prison, I am actually getting softer instead of harder (and not just around the middle, either, lol). I used to have very little pity for the inmates, but now I find myself listening to them more and hearing what they have to say. I won't ever cross the line of professionalism, but I've found a little empathy goes a long way with most of them. Many of these guys come from areas like a lot of people on theis board have described- dirt poor with little opportunity for education, few jobs, etc. I am sure getting a dollar or two a day handed to them on the street didn't make that much difference in their lives, but being able to get food and shelter at a local soup kitchen, or help paying for heating costs probably would have. Those are really terrific ways to enrich other peoples lives in a more long term way. OK, I am babbling now, but anyway, good posts, girls.

[Avatar]

Always nice to see you Kym.

And as always, a beautiful post from Furls.

I'm not looking for an answer there Furls, I'm looking for all answers.

Although, I'd be hard pressed to find a better one I think.

--A

[Furls Fire]

HUGGLESSSS Kym

And thanks Avatar

You know, caring and giving doesn't mean just handing out money. Alot of caring people volunteer their time for so many causes, or lend a voice for those who have no voice ( the CASA program is an excellent example of that), donate used items no longer wanted but would delight a poor family with nothing. There are many ways to give of yourself that doesn't involve your bank account.

And as for the "bum on the street corner"...well, he needs help yes, but just handing him a couple of dollars isn't really going to help him. He has to want to get off that street corner, and he has to want to work at improving his life. If he's perfectly happy being on that corner and doesn't want to do anything for himself, then there really is nothing that can be done to truely help him.

[Avatar]

Oh, I agree with you Furls. But as much as it diminishes me to admit it, handing out random money is easier.

Because if I really think about it, it doesn't, as you say, do much, if any, good. Better to work out how much I give and give it to a soup kitchen or something, and better still by far to do as you suggest and volunteer. (A far nobler way of helping...exactly because it's harder.) Plenty of people are willing to donate money. It's easy, it fools you into thinking that you're doing your bit. (And ok, in a sense, that money is vital too, because without it, the people who give of their time wouldn't have anything to do with it), but without the people's time, the money would be just as useless.

You give but little when you give of your possessions.

It is when you give of yourself that you truly give...

...There are those who give little of the much which they have - and they give it for recognition and their hidden desire makes their gifts unwholesome.

And there are those who have little and give it all.

These are the believers in life and the bounty of life, and their coffer is never empty.

There are those who give with joy, and that joy is their reward.

And there are those who give with pain, and that pain is their baptism.

And there are those who give and know not pain in giving, nor do they seek joy, nor give with mindfulness of virtue;

They give as in yonder valley the myrtle breathes its fragrance into space.

Through the hands of such as these God speaks, and from behind their eyes He smiles upon the earth.

For you Furls...

--Avatar

[Prebe]

The former dean of the University of Copenhagen was confronted with the hopelessness of the social inequality of the world. He answered:

"I prefer the optimism of action to the pessimism of speculation"

I must say (even being prone to speculation myself) that he has an excellent point.

[The Laughing Man]

(that would look good as a Latin signature, perhaps? )

[[Syl]]

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