I always wondered is this legal or not, thank you very much for explaining:
Furthermore, if someone is in danger, and you have a chance to save them, it is not lawful to do nothing. Doing nothing when availed of an opportunity to save someone is a crime.
Unfortunately, as we are getting used to others' pain and suffering our brain chooses to ignore it. That's why, for example, when someone gets hurt in an accident most people just pass by and do not help. This is also partially due to the crowd effect - "If everyone is just passing by, it's OK for me to just pass by also". It is noted that when someone surrounded by a crowd needs help, it can take a long time for someone to approach him, but once one person approaches, usually many more will follow. Thus, the existence of a certain percentage of altruists brings exponential benefits to the society (in addition to their good deeds, they will also inspire others to join).
Crowds are a much different animal than individuals. I doubt if any one person would go out of his way to burn a witch at the stake or perform a lynching. One psychopath can take control of a situation and turn a crowd in the direction he wants them to go with his cleverness and his need to control.
On the other hand, one altruist has a hard time getting people to follow him unless he is also extremely charismatic since most people in a group have more self-interest than when they are left to their own devices. While love is a powerful force, hatred and fear are greater motivators toward action.
Humans in a disaster situation become more helpful simply because its built into the species. Somehow their empathy circuits kick in and they respond accordingly. Humans are indeed a complex species.
Ultimately, give and you shall receive is true, as is giving being better than receiving. Let's just hope we can get that message across before we wipe each other out following the wrong leaders.
" While love is a powerful force, hatred and fear are greater motivators toward action."
This may be the reason behind psychopaths having easier time to get followers than altruists, but the reason may also be the fact that the evil side of many people is largely suppressed due to social norms and thus just waiting for an opportunity to come out.
In any case, we as individuals can do and lead much and we should not turn our heads away.
Of course not. Just because something is difficult doesn't mean we shouldn't try. Steemit is the perfect example. Lol!