What growing up without a present dad does to a mf.
this post was submitted on 25 Oct 2023
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A true gigachad, indeed. XD I have a genuine question. What would one's motivation be to help the vulnerable within anarchy?
The genuine desire to help out a fellow human. Laws don’t inherently lead to achieving that, and I do so hope your morals aren’t so flexible as to be reliant on laws to remain upheld!
I remember one time a Christian friend was asking how I have morals when I am an atheist. I just try to form values that make logical and emotional sense to me based on my experiences. I don't need a god threatening me to do that.
Anarchy accepts that each of us will only contribute as much as we are willing and capable. There's no hierarchical force to make us do anything we don't agree to of our own accord. My motivation to help others comes from a natural human compassion for others. And that's why I surround myself, by my own choice, with others who are also compassionate. When I need help, I'm certain my friends and family will be there for me. And the way that others help out is in accord with their own preferences. I expect others to know their own boundaries, and I try to respect those boundaries. So to answer your question, maybe that vulnerable person is someone you care for, for reasons of your own. Maybe they introduced you to your life partner, and you are grateful for that. Maybe when you were vulnerable they helped you. Maybe you have chosen to help every 3rd person in need, because that's how you do things. So let me ask you, what motivates you to help the vulnerable? Is your motivation only transactional? Do you only help others who are "above you" in some hierarchical sense?
In thinking about your question I did some reading, and came across this quote:
“If you have come here to help me then you are wasting your time, but if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine then let us work together.”
— Lila Watson, aboriginal activist
I'm gonna give the selfish answer: mutual aid.
Help others and it'll benefit you in the end, that's why we evolved to live in complex communities.
That isnt selfishness. It's community building.
Besides it just being the right thing to do?
Well, you might end up as one of the "vulnerable" at some point, for reasons out of your control(disease,accidents, etc), and thus need help yourself. Now, who will others wanna help more, the guy who was always trying to help others in need, or the dick that couldn't be bothered?
I help the vulnerable. I am on the left.
I do it because I have empathy and solidarity.
Why do we help people under capitalism?
Tax breaks. But the amount of money shielded from taxation is much more important then any incidental "help" that occurs. Same with non-profits or other foundations.
Oh. I'm not fancy enough to itemize so I'm not sure why that would incentivize helping others.
It doesn't, that's the point.
I help others because it's the right thing to do.
That's great if the help someone needs can be addressed by an individual. What happens if it requires a society like say growing enough food for a village? Or for something more germane, how do you help homeless people under Capitalism?
I guess we work together as we're ethically obligated to?
Why would the motivation need be any different from helping the vulnerable under capitalism?
Shared humanity and an understanding of mutuality. That individual may not help you later, but when helping is just what you do sooner or later when you need it someone will help you when you need it
Understanding how "societies" and "common interests" work?
looking forward for you to ask that same question next time, ignoring every explaination people provided
Why the hostility? I was genuinely curious when I asked the question. Not everyone is good-natured.
Why would you think they'd do that? And why do anarchists get so mad when you ask what to do about bad faith actors who want to break their robust volunteer network?
Plenty of experience seeing the same names answer the same questions over and over and over again like a buggy MP3 player stuck playing the same buffer ad infinitum.
The answers here should put you the right track to find more reading but you could also post this question over at [email protected]