The Morality of Helping Amidst Pandemic: Dissecting the Joy Factor

In times of crisis like the pandemic, the act of helping others can often become a matter of deep moral and ethical consideration. One common contention is whether it is right to help someone if it does not bring you pleasure. This article delves into this debate, shedding light on the importance of moral duty in helping others and debunking the myth that joy is a prerequisite for such actions.

The Argument Against Joy

Many people argue that if the act of helping does not stem from genuine pleasure, it is somehow less valid or less valuable. This perspective is flawed and overlooks the true essence of morality and kindness. According to many humanitarian principles, the act of helping is itself an act of compassion and duty, irrespective of the individual's feelings about the task.

Helping people is never wrong regardless if you enjoy it or not. Chances are if you don’t enjoy doing something, you won’t do it, so there’s very little chance of helping people if you don’t like what you’re doing.

Morality and Civic Duty

At its core, helping others is a reflection of one's civic and humane duty. It is not simply about personal satisfaction or fulfillment but about contributing positively to society. More often than not, acts of kindness and assistance can inspire others to do the same, creating a ripple effect that strengthens the community as a whole.

As the famous saying goes, 'Kindness strengthens our community, encouraging others to go out of their way and provide assistance when they would not have ordinarily done so.' This reinforces the idea that helping others, even if you do not find it pleasurable, is a valuable contribution to society.

Kindness strengthens our community encouraging others to go out of their way and provide assistance when they would not have ordinarily done so.

Joy and Moral Duty

It is important to distinguish between joy and moral duty. Joy can be a component of helping, but it should not be the sole determinant of its value. Helping is a gift, and even if the giver does not experience pleasure, the act itself can bring immense joy to the recipient. Moreover, the act of helping can foster a sense of fulfillment that transcends personal pleasure.

Helping is a gift. If you resent your actions in relation to others, then in no way are you helping. When you truly serve, it is done without the expectation of anything in return.

The Psychological Dimension

Doubts about whether an act of kindness is genuine can arise if the person performing it does not derive pleasure from it. According to some psychological theories, a gift given without pleasure can be considered less genuine or valuable. However, there is also the view that one should not worry about their own worthiness as long as the service is genuinely helpful.

This perspective highlights the importance of considering the impact of helping rather than the individual's emotions. In the scheme of things, what truly matters is the effect of your actions on others, not necessarily your personal satisfaction.

One should not worry about one’s own worthiness as long as the service one performs is actually helpful to someone else.

The Displacement of Joy

Furthermore, it is crucial to recognize the detrimental effects of placing too much emphasis on joy as a condition for helping. This can potentially displace the moral duty to help others, creating a sense of guilt or obligation if one does not find an activity pleasurable. This can lead to inaction and a failure to fulfill one's responsibilities.

Parents get immense joy from gifting their children stuff even though it costs them money and children’s attention span can be very short. This carries over to giving generally and sadly too many do not realize the joy of giving, especially time.

Ultimately, helping others is a selfless act that should be valued for its moral and ethical significance, not solely for the pleasure it brings to the giver. While joy can be an added bonus, it should not diminish the importance and value of helping others, especially in times of crisis like the pandemic.