Having got the disclaimer out of the way, my thought structure has been shaped by the books I read during my Engineering – and to be specific, heavily influenced by Ayn Rand. Ayn Rand’s basic philosophy is objectivism, which I think in simpler words and very broadly mean ‘What is my benefit?’. Although I have come to disagree with quite a few bits of Ayn Rand’s core philosophy over the years, this fundamental thought of ‘what’s my benefit?’ has seeped in quite strongly. A true libertarian/capitalist I am not. However, ‘what’s my benefit?’ in terms of money/fame/recognition is the foremost in my thought process. Naturally, the ignorant me also assumed that everyone thinks in a similar manner. Most people, if not all I have encountered have a similar thought process, although with different nuances. However, over the past few days, I am unable to reconcile with certain sets of people who I don’t think fall under the bracket of ‘what’s the benefit?’ thought process and here’s where my limited understanding kicks in.

a. I don’t understand why certain volunteers go and serve people, say during disasters like earthquakes and hurricanes. No financial incentive. No incentive of fame. No ulterior motive of writing it in a resume. This set of people just go and serve wherever there is a need. Why – I don’t know. For what benefit – I don’t know.

b. I can’t understand certain doctors/helpers/teachers/general people who go to the most remote places in Africa and treat people/educate children and adults. I just can’t make out what their benefit is except for the word ‘satisfaction’. Is ‘satisfaction’ even definable?

c. I can’t understand certain people who swim across the English channel/North pole/South pole as a token program and publicity for climate change – urging the leaders of the world to change their views on global warming. What benefit to them – I don’t know.

I understand that people help one another and all that. Usually such favors are returned and some people are genuinely helpful. Not to take away credit from these very few genuinely good people (I have a theory that all people are good unless there is a conflict – but I will let this theory be for this blogpost), but the examples that I have mentioned above (three examples out of probably another hundred examples that I can give) help people repeatedly, as if that is their life’s goal. Unless someone can explain me after-life theory and its benefits and that there is a positive correlation (or causation) between what these people do to the their after-life theory beliefs, I am unable to fathom that ‘helping others’ can be a life’s goal. Except for the intangible benefit of ‘satisfaction’ (which you will agree is very vague), what are the tangible/intangible benefits these people get? Guess I will have to adjust with limited understanding on this subject rather than more-than-limited understanding – unless of course anyone among you readers can throw more light on this topic. I have given up. Plain given up after a lot of thought.

P.S – It seems like I have a problem with people who want to help others all their lives . I assure you that’s not the case – I was only trying to understand why they do it. I am not force fitting them in my framework of understanding. I promise.