Would You?

If you had a choice to help someone or not, and if you helped the person out, you wouldn't get any credit, no tingly-feel-good-feelings, no thank-you, and got absolutely nothing good out of it, would you still help that person?

Yes. The answer should hopefully be an obvious one to everyone. How it's not about what we get from this, but rather what we do for others. Yet, this Poll Thread still serves as an important reminder regardless.

There could be those "Thanks" we receive from others, and the good feeling that we get when we did something right. Those are just extra bonuses, if anything. Sure they feel good, but should not be primary objectives. The mission doesn't change whether we receive them or not.

Although, as far as the feelings, I do believe it should be known and understood that our instincts will often guide us to places we need to be in life. So, it's not so much a matter of if, but rather the whole when/where/why/how/etc.

Exactly. All emotions were given to us to help guide us in our decisions. We were programmed to "feel good" about helping others, because that's the right thing to do. There are different stages of morality in people, and at one of the earlier stages people do good because they feel good, while in the more matured levels, people know to do good because it is the right thing to do, not because they will get something out of it.

Yup.

Not to say that if a group of people needed my help i'd be tempted to quote Rorshach on them though.

DarkShadow Rising...

If you asked me 15-20 years ago, I wouldn't hesitate selecting "Yes".

Today is another story. Obviously the credit doesn't mean anything, but I've had too many backfire experiences in the past. Cases where my attempts to help out, resulted in the direct opposite of credit. People who got angry or insulted by my attempt to help in some way.
I think long time ago I concluded that I was lousy at helping people out, and put it on the shelves. So I don't do much of that nowadays.

As long as its legal and wont get me any trouble with the police or the city

I'd still help without question... everything happens for a reason, so if a situation is put in front of me where I can help someone in need it means it's a stepping stone to something greater down the line

The better question is not whether you'd do it for no benefit, but rather would you do it with the threat of injury, death, or imprisonment. To sacrifice everything and labelled a criminal or worse. Would you go out there to aid others if at any minute, they could kill or capture you?

If you answer yes to that, that has a great deal of impact for me. Not wanting credit, that's the bare minimum, in my opinion.

You don't do the do for self gratification, you do it to help your fellow man/woman.

Just my stance on the subject.

:Dim glad know one said no xp