Altruism and the 100 rupees note.

Somebody I once knew, drove back 5 km, to hand a gloomy looking sad-eyed tramp a 100 rupees note. Smug with ‘feel-good’ benevolence she sped away.

Is there such a thing as absolute altruism? I mean an act of kindness bereft of any personal motive. Well, not even that ‘feel-good’ reward, no craving for ‘karma’, nothing….just pure kindness.

Studies (in psychological annals) have shown that people who have recently committed a misdemeanour, more readily, help others. This private balancing of guilt and good actions can very well be subconscious, without us even realizing. It also means that it will make us feel less guilty after an act of kindness, even if the endeavour is unrelated to the primary guilt causing offence. Guilt, after all is an unrelenting emotion.

The 100 rupees note must have bought her the ‘karmic brownie’ she was seeking …..