The kindness of strangers

[Skybird]

http://www.project-syndicate.org/com...bloom2/English

Stumbled over this, and liked it. But the decision to post it I formed not before I had read the last sentence, which I like best:

The extension of human morality is a wonderful development for humanity, but it would be even better if it were tempered by cold-blooded rationality.

But take note of the context in which he said this.

[SteamWake]

Dident read the story but yes a little more rationality would be good.

[Castout]

I'd say kindness needs no ratio IDEALLY and it should be universal and impartial notwithstanding race, social standing or class, gender, religion or lack of it, nationality, age, physical attributes and even ideology.

What most of us do not often realize is that we share a lot in common INSIDE much more than we'd otherwise thought or believed.

You are as me and I'm as you. your impatience feels just like mine, your love feels just like my love, your disappointment feels just like mine, and your happiness feels just like mine too regardless of ALL.

Perhaps someday mankind will find a way or evolve to literally feel what others are feeling or like. That would be some dream or a nightmare to some.

[UnderseaLcpl]

I'm of the opinion that biology has more to do with it than anything else, and a little more than the article gives it credit for. While it is true that there is no Darwinian payoff for helping complete strangers, the mechanism is still there and will function in proper circumstances. By the same token, people also kill, rob, rape, and do other terrible things to complete strangers when the chips are down.


Never one to miss a chance to strike a blow for capitalism, whatever the topic, I was happy to see this:

Even the much-maligned force of capitalism might make us nicer. A recent study of 15 diverse populations, reported in the journal Science, found that the societies that treat anonymous strangers most fairly are those with market economies. As Robert Wright has emphasized, as people become increasingly inter-dependent, the scope of moral concern expands accordingly.

Capitalism also creates the resources that make caring possible.

[Flaxpants]

I'm a great believer in Karma. I wholeheartedly believe that by being 'good' you will reap the rewards, be it through luck, fate, or whatever you want to call it.

[Alex]

@ Flaxpants : +1 !