Is It Possible to Have a Truly Altruistic Act, or Are All Acts Motivated by Self-Interest Ultimately?

Oscar Wilde is attributed to having once said, “The nicest feeling in the world is to do a good deed anonymously—and have somebody find out.” I would underline, “somebody find out,” because our ego always seeks recognition.

Is our world built in such a way that we simply cannot perform truly altruistic acts? Yes, such is our nature. How could we act otherwise? We are built to harm, use, break, and violate. That is our foundation, and we cannot act differently on our own. Therefore, we must focus on how to reasonably limit ourselves, to restrain our harmful impulses so we cause minimal disruption to everything around us. This is possible solely through education.

Mutual, voluntary restriction, which we all accept, will make our planet livable, not just for ourselves, but for future generations as well. What is interesting is that many voices are saying that this is exactly what they want, and entire movements are built around this idea, yet they accomplish nothing. It cannot be forced or achieved by shouting in public squares.

So how can it be done? Only through re-education. Environmental groups, activists, and all the noise they make only breed hatred and distrust. They miss the real root of the problem and the solution, that the human heart must change. In other words, without undergoing a change in our attitude to others and to the world, where we intend to switch self-benefit to benefiting others and nature, then we will always be locked in a downward spiral led by our need to constantly satisfy only ourselves.

The basis of this re-education must be the vision of humanity as one family, and the entire planet as one home. We must instill this awareness deeply. It is a beautiful vision, and I, too, deeply want it to happen. Moreover, nature will force us to reach it, whether we like it or not. If we resist, we will endure more suffering, perhaps even face another world war, with half or more of humanity destroyed. One way or another, nature will bring everything back into balance.

Considering that our egoistic nature is the opposite of altruistic, then it might very well take a long time for this process to pan out. However, the speed depends on the urgency we feel and the necessity we recognize.

Also, who can teach in such schools, in these universities of life? It is only those who have risen above their natural egoistic state even slightly. Such people can guide others on the path toward developing an altruistic approach to life, connecting positively with others, and discovering a new harmonious life in becoming one family and living in one common home.

Based on KabTV’s “News with Dr. Michael Laitman” with Kabbalist Dr. Michael Laitman on December 2, 2021. Written/edited by students of Kabbalist Dr. Michael Laitman.

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