What is the best in man? Personally, I feel that compassion is the best in man but that is too shallow. It is not truly the best in man. The true best in man is altruism. What is altruism? The Oxford Study Dictionary’s definition of altruism is unselfishness. However, altruism is not merely unselfishness. The word unselfishness does not do the concept of altruism justice. Altruism is not just unselfishness, it is putting others before self, it is to put your own life at risk for the good of others, it is to help others knowing that you may very well die in the attempt. Now that we have established that the best in man is altruism, it is time to go back to our original topic. Does crisis bring out altruism, the best in man? My answer, sad is it may be, is no.
Firstly, as demonstrated by the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, crisis does not bring out the best in man. It in fact does the opposite. Shortly after the hurricane moved away, residents of New Orleans began looting stores for food and water as it was not available to them through other means. Reports of carjacking, murders, thefts, and rapes in New Orleans flooded the news. ‘Sniper’ fire was even targeted at rescue helicopters, relief workers, and police officers by relocation or evacuation resisters. Of those who choose to resist relocation or evacuation there are two types. Those who are staying because of sentiments and those who are staying for the easy prey.
I (kind of) respect those who are staying for sentimental reasons that I can understand. New Orleans have been their home for so long, from since when they were little toddlers till now. It has been their only home and now they don’t know where to go. On the other hand, their homes are no longer safe and it would be wise to leave. Brutal practicality wins over sentiments for me. The other type of resister, the ones staying for the easy prey, are the ones that I will be using to demonstrate my thoughts that crisis brings out the worst in man. Normally, our society is bound by the laws and rules our founding fathers lay, but in the absence of these laws, chaos runs unchecked and our normally bound ‘dark side’ is unleashed. Things we wouldn’t even consider doing normally is brought to the forefront of our minds when our survival is at stake. Even unnecessary things such as carjacking and rape are done all because of one thing. The removal of laws that keeps order within our society allows man the freedom to do whatever he likes and that resulted in many people doing unlawful things now that they have the chance to do so.
Moreover, when disaster strikes, most people would adopt the ‘every man for himself’ mentality. As proven when a tourist asked a police officer for assistance and got the response, "Go to hell, it's every man for himself.", when people are confused or scared, they would automatically look out for number one, that is, themselves. This mentality often results in selfishness and thus makes any thought of helping others near impossible, much less altruism.
Yes, I do admit that there are rare cases where altruism is demonstrated, like the recent Japan earthquake, tsunami and subsequent nuclear crisis. The nation suffered blow after blow, yet it still stood firm. There were no reports of looting or theft or murders. Despite their need for food, people still lined up for their rations and even gave part of their own rations to others who need it more. However, these cases are far and few between. Perhaps it is that the darkness in the aftermath of disasters calls out to the darkness in our souls that makes us behave this way, but more often than not, crisis brings out the worst in man.
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