By Glen Truax
Does selflessness actually exist? Does giving make us happier than receiving? What if there are strings attached, i.e. giving in order to raise ones self-esteem?
Studies from UC Berkleys Greater Good organization finds that giving gifts does indeed make us happier but theres a catch.
The studies show that the people who derived the most happiness were those who were allowed to spread the charity amongst their own social circle.
In a weird way, its selflessness via selfishness. Were still benefiting from the action of giving, because the dividends are spread amongst those within our friendly boundaries.
It may also have to do with being specific. Giving money to a vast organization like UNICEF is certainly helpful, but if you know that your twenty dollars are going to a specific project (like water tanks in Somalia, or vaccines for children in Laos), you may derive more pleasure knowing that your money is not being spent on office supplies for UNICEF locations. Those pens and paper clips are certainly necessary to help UNICEF keep functioning, but it may not have the same impact as something as solid as a water tank.
Lets say that you donate 10 per cent of your monthly pay to Salvation Army. This is admirable of course, but it ultimately leads to thinking that that 10 per cent is about as meaningful as EI or any other wage deduction. On the other hand, if you volunteer at the Salvation Army during the winter, you get a first-hand experience of what that money amounts to in real life.
Its about spheres of private living. If something looms large in your private life (friends, parents, children, even people on the street), youll be more inclined to react to their acceptance of help or charity. If its just considered a pay deduction, youll feel about as passionate about it as, say, income tax returns.
Whether honest-to-goodness selflessness actually exists is kind of besides the point. Even if youre nefariously contributing money, food, or labour just to make yourself feel better, the fact remains that money/food/labour has been contributed to organizations and individuals that need it. Humanity benefits, even if youre actually the greediest, most self-involved person on earth.
