What makes it so difficult for us to agree with the results of the research on pro-social spending that was presented in the lesson?

[KabU]

What makes it so difficult for us to agree with the results of the research on pro-social spending that was presented in the lesson?

[Yiskah]

I think what makes it difficult for many of us to agree with the study is because of what we see in the world around us. It does not seem as if people inherently act this way from a first impression of society.

[Juule]

Perhaps it’s difficult for us to agree with the results of the research on pro-social spending because of our natural desire to think only for what is in the best self interest for the individual and that a pro-social outlook requires a level of empathy that may not exist for any one individual.

[Christianne]

Ik wil heel graag geven  wanneer ik kan,  daarom moet ik eerst genoeg materieel hebben om te delen,  maar vriendschap, geduld, verdraagzaamheid enz   kan ik delen zoveel ik kan,  Tegelijk wil ik niet dat er van mij wordt geprofiteerd. Daarom denk ik dat het maar kan in een goede  omgeving

[Zied]

It depends on the person. I won’t be happy to give my money to a thief for example. I will feel idiot

[peter]

I agree fully as I always want to give however it generally is when I feel I have more than what I need

[Rune T. A.]

Well, I think that to agree with theese results, one has to have felt the joy of giving and/or have to have contemplated a great deal about what it is we call love. In other words, the results must somehow resonate with something inside of us, a part of us if you will, in order to recognize the truth of it.

And if you believe that the universe was a lucky coincidence and that we are nothing but atoms, then the results of the research is almost, if not completely, without consequence to ones perception of life. Even if it had an impact on, say a billionaire’s thought process, then he might begin to give away his wealth to try and gain some personal happiness, only to find that the happiness that stems from his efforts is as fleeting as every other corporeal pleasure.

So the bottom line, to me, must be that without a sense of “some greater purpose to life”, the results of the research can not penetrate through the ego and reach ones heart.

[Author]

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