Researchers Find Altruism, Empathy Controlled By Brain

Scientists found that dampening regions of the brain that block impulses will allow people to act in their true nature - either more selfish or selfless.

[From article]
Treat others as you would wish to be treated yourself - or so the saying goes.
But, while most will have heard the old adage, some people appear more inclined to live their life according to the sentiment.
Now, scientists believe they have uncovered the reason why some are more selfless than others.
Two new studies reveal kind people experience more activity in areas of the brain that fuel empathetic impulses.
Dr Leonardo Christov-Moore, of University of California, Los Angeles, said: ‘Our altruism may be more hard-wired than previously thought.’
[. . .]
Dr Christov-Moore said: ‘It’s almost like these areas of the brain behave according to a neural “golden rule".
‘The more we tend to vicariously experience the states of others, the more we appear to be inclined to treat them as we would ourselves.’

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-3499094/Why-people-nicer-s-brains-altruistic-hardwired-selfless.html

Why ARE some people nicer than others? It's all in their head! The altruistic among us are ‘hardwired to be selfless’
Some people can't help but be altruistic - or selfless, scientists revealed
Kind people have more activity in brain areas fueling empathetic impulses
Shutting down certain brain areas can make people act nicer, study found
Thus, experts say that a person's sense of selflessness is hardwired
By Lisa Ryan For Dailymail.com
Published: 12:19 EST, 18 March 2016 | Updated: 14:02 EST, 18 March 2016

Harvard University Lecture on Altruism, By Peter Singer Who Promotes Killing Disabled Babies

This is truly an amazing example of distorted thinking at a major US university. Peter Singer is more famously known for advocating killing disabled babies saying that will enable more happiness in the world. See this link for one news article about him and his obscene beliefs. 

http://www.wnd.com/2006/09/37903/

'BIOETHICIST': OK TO KILL BABIES AFTER THEY'RE BORN
'Animal-rights' promoter asserts actual birth makes no difference
Published: 09/14/2006 at 1:00 AM

It shows how misguided universities are these days encouraging killing vulnerable persons while celebrating accumulating and using money to be thought of as altruistic. Is this more upside down thinking like, Shaw's "The road to hell is paved with good intentions;" or Cleobulous' "The chief source of evil among men is excessive good?"

[From article]
“People think the problem is so big that they can’t make a difference, I think that’s a mistake,” he said.
Introduced as “one of the most influential living philosophers in the most positive way” by Psychology professor Joshua D. Greene,
[. . .]
Harvard College Effective Altruism Co-President Angie Jo ’16 said the organization invited Singer to speak because of his status as prominent role in the movement of effective altruism.
“He has become famous for this notion that normal people can make more rigorous decisions to actually change the amount of good they do in the world,” she said.

http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2015/4/13/singer-speaks-effective-altruism/

Philosopher Peter Singer Discusses Effective Altruism
By JESSICA MIN, CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Harvard Crimson

April 13, 2015

Money Rules Cambridge Councilor's Thinking

Longest serving Cambridge City Councilor Ken Reeves Harvard College graduate expresses his view on public service. How altruism has changed in the People's Republic. "Show me the money." now rules Cambridge as well as other city, state and US government officials.

[From article]
“I don’t need to chair the council for free indefinitely,” Reeves said from the mayoral bench, on Monday. “I’m happy to give over this responsibility.”

http://www.wickedlocal.com/cambridge/news/x1676722240/Cambridge-councilor-wants-mayor-chosen-soon-special-meeting-set#axzz1mL3zYQT1

Cambridge councilor wants mayor chosen soon, special meeting set
By Andy Metzger/ametzger@wickedlocal.com
Wicked Local Cambridge
Posted Feb 14, 2012 @ 11:31 AM
Last update Feb 14, 2012 @ 02:57 PM

Altruistic Professionals


http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1153776

Harvard prof wants docs to put humanity into practice
Let’s get physical
By Jessica Fargen / Making the rounds
Boston Herald
Sunday, February 22, 2009


Dr. Samuels says doctors "lost sight of the reason they became doctors.” Oh? Like lawyers, police and politicians many people choose to become a doctor to make a lot of money, to have prestige and power. Has Dr. Samuels not learned that by now? I was horrified to learn that lesson when I was a student in law school. People need to seek out integrity. It would be easier if all the greedy professionals were required to wear signs saying, "I am not doing this to help others."



WheresTheOutrage
One of the people commented that people become Dr.s to be rich and have prestige and power as opposed to helping people. First off becoming a Dr. isn’t easy, it requires a lot of brainpower, years of study, hours and hours of on the job training and massive amounts of money for the tuition. That’s just to become a Dr. Once you are a Dr. there is a practice to be built, an office to lease, equipment to purchase, insurance to buy, staff to hire...and you wait for that first patient to come in. [this rant continued for several paragraphs.]

bobbysmautz
platousa, police choose their job to make a lot of money?? Base pay of 40-50k Cmon, and spare me the detail crap, it runs hot and cold for them.


Hello WheresTheOutrage. So you say that ALL doctors are altruistic? I don't think so. You never read about the Medicaid mills? Selling body parts? Lots of problems not reported in the media. AMA is very strong and hires PR firms.

Hello bobbyschmautz. Police salaries (in Boston?) are 40-50 k? Some police sell their badges? They make money not arresting guilty people, and by arresting innocent people as favors. They make money changing the names of persons arrested. They make money losing files, evidence, and by selling evidence. There are many ways to earn large money with a badge. The good cops don't snitch on their mercenary colleagues. FBI agents can make more money as we saw with the James Bulger coalition of police and FBI.