http://money.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=1010030
This articles describes a millionaire that gave all of his money away. All of it. He was raised in a poor family and he was taught to work hard to earn what he wanted in life. He worked hard his whole life, thinking that a little more money and material possessions would finally make him happy, only to realize that it didn't. So, he gave it all away.
His story interests me for several reasons. His display of charitable behavior is one that many people applaud and see as highly altruistic. It's true that his action was extremely generous and will help many orphans gain a quality of life that they couldn't have without his help, but his actions are not altogether altruistic. The reason he gives his money away is because he is still seeking happiness. He first thought that making money and having stuff would make him happy, now he thinks that giving all of his money to people that need it more than him and living a very simple life will make him happy. While his latest search for happiness is definitely beneficial to many people, was his giving out of altruism and generosity alone, or was it motivated by seeking his own happiness?
I would argue that his generosity is still motivated by selfishness, making his giving not entirely altruistic. By no means am I saying that he shouldn't have done it, because I think it's wonderful that so many people in need will benefit from his action, but I think the most basic driving motivator in this case was still seeking his own satisfaction or happiness.
Do you think this decision will result in lasting happiness? Or will it, like the pursuit of money and material possessions, only last in the shorter-term scheme of a lifetime?
I think it is great what this guy is doing with all his material possessions. Espcially the fact that he had worked for all that he earned, and the fact that he has deicded to give that up for others who are less fortunate is awesome, there aren't many people like that and have money.
It has been shown that doing things for others and volunteering does make people happier. So the idea that he has isn't too far fetched for happiness. I am not sure if it will actually last for the rest of his life. The book says that dopamine release can happen when you do something nice for others. I think that doing something nice for others just has a short spurt of dopamine release for the person, and for the people who are recieving the money that this man is giving away. I'm not sure if this will give him lifelong happiness, but I know for other people this could possibly change their lives.
Although, he is doing this for others and wanting to give back, he is doing it for his own happiness. Which is somewhat selfish, but he could be using this money for other selfish ideas and trips. So, I give him props for doing something good for others rather than keeping it to himself.