The psychology of heroism and altruism

polymathwannabe

The psychology of heroism and altruism

post by polymathwannabe · 2014-10-21T16:49:39.818Z · LW · GW · Legacy · 1 comments

"What’s the psychology of heroism? Is extreme self-sacrifice the result of a pained calculus, a weighing of desire and obligation, or an instinct? (Which would be more heroic? Does it matter?)"

http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/medical_examiner/2014/10/psychology_of_heroism_and_altruism_what_makes_people_do_good_deeds.single.html

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comment by cameroncowan · 2014-10-24T04:17:48.865Z · LW(p) · GW(p)

I think its a matter of what motivates people. The mother lifts the car off of the child because she has the maternal instinct to save the child she birthed. I think some people are highly motivated to help people and it fulfills their soul. They do heroic deeds because it makes sense to them. Its all about motivation.