Philosophy of Giving

Running head: PHILOSOPHY OF GIVING
PHILOSOPHY OF GIVING
Name of the student:
Name of the university:
Author note:

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Youtube: It’s Good to be Good | Stephen Post | TEDxSBU
Part A:
The speaker named Stephen has put forward a novel concept of a shared humanity. The
speaker is believer of the fact that humans require to care and support others without feeling the
need to be paid. He is of the opinion that every human beings should behave with others in the
way as they expect those others to do with them. He believes that emotions that remain attached
with the idea of helping others and giving others without any intentions of gaining anything in
return can result in a sense of tranquility and peace among individuals. He has further backed up
his belief with that scientific data where he has talked about the response of meso-limbic
pathway. When individuals provide help to others without expecting anything in return or when
they go an extra mile to provide help to an individual without the expectation of reaping extra
benefits of it, person are seen to feel an inner peace within themselves. He has associated this
feeling with better and healthier life and well-being that enables human being to be happy and
satisfied with their own selves.
Different studies have established strong powerful psychological principle which
underlies the psychology of giving. It had stated that when an individual experiences itself as
givers, they receive a deep as well as enduring affirmation of his own values to that of the others
(Grant, 2019). Researchers have been of the opinion that giving is positively associated with life
satisfaction and the more the people give the more satisfaction they feel (Kogut et al., 2017). One
of the longitudinal studies undertaken by the researchers at the University of Buffalo had shown
that people who engaged themselves in the helping behaviors with their friends as well as with

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their neighbors like that of running errands for them, cooking meals for them as well as
providing child care have reduced their mortality rates in comparison to those who did not help
(Weaver, 2018). Stephen has talked about similar aspects where he had stated that helping others
without thinking of benefits result in releasing of happiness chemical making people feel joy,
fulfillment as well as social trust. He had also stated facts where that older people who remained
engaged in helpful activities in neighborhood or volunteering activities were found to be more
satisfied with their lives than those who did not and their life expectancy was seen to have been
also increased by one year. The pure unselfish love that remain associated with the condition of
giving and helping others with no expectation in return can help individuals to come into a circle
of spirituality and this would feel them with joy that is more profound and deeper than mere
happiness. This has positive impact on health and well being of persons.
Teaching might be regarded as a profession like that of other types of profession of a
manager, doctor, engineer and many others but there remains a stark difference that makes
teaching very different from the others. All professions come with an expectation where the
professionals expect a benefit or profit in return (Cavallo et al., 2016). However, according to
me, the main foundation of the teaching profession is selflessness and dedication towards the
making of individuals who would be leading the next generation. As a teacher, I rely on the
power of giving in a similar manner as described by Stephen and many other articles published
over time. The joy of imparting knowledge and support to the student and helping them grow up
as a successful human being fills a teacher with a satisfaction, fulfillment and happiness that can
never be met with any financial or materialistic rewards. When I see the enthusiasm in the face
of the child when he or she learns new aspects of science or the environment makes me fill up
with pleasure that inculcates a sense of peace and serenity within me. Such feeling can never be