Feelin' Good

Simon Cowell recently did something charitable. He bought a dying girl a pony or something - I can't remember the details. What I do remember is what he is quoted as saying after the event: "I never thought being generous could feel so good". But isn't that the fundamental reason why anyone displays charitable behaviour?

Now, you may have gathered that I am a cynical bugger, and this is probably one of the most cynical theories there is. I once read in New Scientist that the only truly altruistic behaviour displayed by animals is the protection of their young - everything else is done for some sort of gain, whether emotional, social or tangible. And we are animals after all.

Take a simple example of helping an old lady across the road. Nothing to gain from that right? Just a good deed with no gain whatsoever. OK, well imagine if you didn't help the old lady across the road - you might experience all sorts of negative emotions such as guilt. I know I would. Particularly if she got mown down by the number 32 bus. So, the gain you are getting from helping someone is that you are feeling good about yourself. It's not tangible, but it's significant.

Giving a little money to charity each month gives you absolutely no return whatsoever. No thank you, no acknowledgement even. So why do we do it? Not because 'it's the right thing to do', or because 'there are those less fortunate than ourselves'. these aren't reasons - they are facts. We do it because it absolves us of just a little bit of the guilt that comes from being in a better position than someone else, and therefore means we can sleep a little better at night.

It's all part of the social order - we are social animals and society dictates certain codes of practice. Being 'good' comes with social rewards and helps us fit in more with those around us - there is a distinct advantage in this in that we don't end up alone in a bedsit watching Friends on repeat.

Yes, call me cynical - but try and think of one example where you have done something out of the goodness of your heart without feeling good about it, without it being what society 'expects' you to do and without it lessening the burden of guilt that would come from not doing it.