THE LAST WORD
By Pat Coughlan
Altruism, at its core, is about selflessly helping others, driven by a desire to do good. It’s the stuff of heart-warming stories and noble deeds. But what happens when these good intentions go awry? When the very act of helping turns into something darker?
This week I am going to dive into the murky waters where altruism morphs into cruelty. It sets the stage for a journey through history, exploring how the best of intentions can sometimes lead to the worst of outcomes. The complexities of man’s inhumanity to man, all starting from a place of supposed kindness.
Discrimination has consistently sown division and cruelty. Racial segregation in the US under Jim Crow laws, religious persecution during the Spanish Inquisition, and the horrific genocide by Nazis against Jews are stark examples. The caste system in India has perpetuated inequality for centuries, while the ongoing conflict over Israel underscores how discrimination fuels prolonged strife.
These instances demonstrate how discrimination, in its many forms, has led to some of history’s darkest chapters.
Throughout history, leaders and societies have often put their own interests above the greater good, leading to conflict and division. Think of the power struggles in ancient Rome, where emperors would betray allies and family alike for a shot at the throne. Consider Julius Caesar’s assassination by his own senators, including Brutus, once his close friend – all motivated by personal and political ambitions.
Or consider the colonial era, when European powers carved up Africa, prioritising their own wealth and influence over the well-being of native populations. These actions, driven by personal gain or the thirst for power, have repeatedly torn apart communities and nations, showing how easily unity can be sacrificed on the altar of ambition.
Dehumanisation has been historically wielded as a weapon, stripping groups of their humanity to justify unspeakable acts. Consider the Holocaust, where Jews were depicted as “vermin”, making their extermination seem justified. In the Rwandan Genocide, Tutsis were called cockroaches, paving the way for mass slaughter. During the Atlantic Slave Trade, Africans were dehumanised as “property”, enabling brutal treatment and enslavement. In colonial times, indigenous peoples were labelled “savages” to rationalise land theft and cultural dismantlement.
This systematic dehumanisation eases the acceptance of cruelty, turning neighbours into enemies. By reducing people to less than human, it becomes simpler to inflict pain and suffering without hesitation, transforming ordinary individuals into perpetrators of horrific violence.
Greed, an insatiable hunger for more, is often the root of exploitation and division. When individuals or groups chase wealth, they trample over others, ignoring empathy and compassion. Consider the Industrial Revolution, where factory owners exploited workers, including children, for profit.
More recently, the global financial crisis of 2008, driven by reckless banking practices, led to mass unemployment and housing crises, further polarising societies and necessitating massive bailouts to save failing banks. This intervention highlights the extent to which unchecked greed can destabilise economies and create deep social divides.
Today, in Ireland, profit-driven developers and landlords exacerbate the housing crises, increasing homelessness and dividing communities. This continuing greed highlights the deepening societal rifts caused by the relentless pursuit of wealth.
When societies lose their way, the results can be devastating. When the moral compass falters, humanity pays the price.
Understanding the negative effects of selfishness is crucial. To foster a more altruistic society, several steps need to be taken: Teaching young people about the importance of altruism through empathy, co-operation, and community programmes; ensuring public figures demonstrate altruism and share stories of selflessness to inspire others; promoting voluntarism and local initiatives to provide opportunities for practising altruism; implementing recognition programmes and incentives for altruistic behaviours; and using workshops and storytelling to enhance empathy and compassion in individuals.
Let’s get to it…
