Agree or disagree: most people only care about themselves, family, and friends

[Anonymous]

Yes. I know I do. I used to be so distressed about the trouble of the world, but I only have so much bandwidth. My ability to affect meaningful change is extremely limited, so my primary focus is to have a nice life and make good choices and take care of my kids.

[Anonymous]

No. People derive happiness from volunteering (scientifically speaking).

[Anonymous]

I agree, but I don't understand how you can make friends with someone who only cares about the friends they already have.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A family member told me that he believes this. What do you think?

I'm amazed that anyone could have lived through the last year and a half and not understood this fact.

What about healthcare workers and other essential workers who continued to work, people who donated their time or money, and those who volunteered for vaccine trials? Yes, financial concerns may have played a role for some, but there are other ways to earn money (not that quitting your job is an option for everyone). I imagine that some doctors were also wealthy enough to not have to work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No. People derive happiness from volunteering (scientifically speaking).

+1

[Anonymous]

People donate to charity. They donate amounts higher than what benefits them financially through tax write-offs.

[Anonymous]

Disagree. Health care providers teachers, coaches, social workers, some clergy, lawyers who work to uphold justice and many others look out for society as a whole.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Probably true.

Personally, I think you should put your family first in all personal decisions (spending your own money, etc.) and put fairness first in your official decisions (job, voting).

So I’d absolutely pay for my kid to go to a private school, but I wouldn’t hire my nephew over a more qualified candidate.

+1.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:People donate to charity. They donate amounts higher than what benefits them financially through tax write-offs.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People donate to charity. They donate amounts higher than what benefits them financially through tax write-offs.

+1

And even if they only donate enough for write-offs, they're dedicating time to donating that could have went to other activities.

[Anonymous]

I disagree with the majority of posters. Probably because I volunteer often. Hence, I am around other individuals who volunteer. DC are at a Catholic school. Most weeks there are opportunities to volunteer time, and each month there are opportunities to donate money. DC play a lot of different sports. I look at all the volunteer coaches in the community over the years. They dedicate their time (and often funds) to the community experience. I have helped with the St. Vincent’s Society. When I ask for specific items for a family I am always able to get them, even using neighborhood sites, people will help.

I also work in healthcare. Predominately, healthcare workers get far above in terms of care and compassion to their patients. They value their patients health and well-being. I would say the same for the teachers at DC’s schools.

If you are speaking b/c of differing politics, I don’t know what to tell you. Perhaps you should open the door to the idea that people can prioritize different things, but that doesn’t mean they don’t give their time, talents and money outside of friends and families. You may disagree if they don’t put your priorities first.

My guess is if you don’t see people volunteering, you are probably not volunteering yourselves.