Hello everyone. Today, I’d like to explore why humans help others. Often, we don’t consciously think about this, but our actions are deeply influenced by “instinct.” This instinct naturally drives us to help others.

What is Instinct?
Let’s start by defining instinct. Instinct refers to innate behavior patterns that do not rely on learning or experience. These actions are crucial for survival and reproduction in animals. Examples include babies instinctively sucking for milk and birds building nests.

Instinct to Help Others
Instinctive behavior is important for humans too. Especially, the act of helping others is strongly influenced by instinct. Humans are social animals, and this social nature has been embedded in our instincts through evolution.

The Power of Empathy
Empathy is at the core of the behavior of helping others. Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another. It allows us to naturally understand and want to alleviate others’ pain and suffering. In the brain, mirror neurons play a crucial role in this process. These neurons “mirror” the actions and emotions of others, enabling us to unconsciously sense their situation and act to help.

Helping from an Evolutionary Perspective
From an evolutionary psychology perspective, the behavior of helping others has played a vital role in the survival and prosperity of humanity. Our ancestors relied heavily on cooperation to survive the competitive environment. Sharing food, protecting each other from threats, and supporting child-rearing were essential. Such cooperative behavior was reinforced through natural selection and has become part of our instinctive behavior.

Culture and Education Reinforce Instincts
Instinctive behavior to help others is further strengthened by culture and education. Social norms and ethics encourage helping behavior, and religions and philosophies emphasize its importance. For example, the Christian concept of “neighborly love” and the Buddhist principle of “compassion” stress helping others.

The Brain’s Reward System Promotes Helping
Modern neuroscience research shows that helping others stimulates the brain’s reward system, creating feelings of pleasure. Helping others releases dopamine in the brain, which induces feelings of happiness. This way, the act of helping others has a built-in physiological reward system that promotes such behavior unconsciously.

The Benefits of Helping in Society
Instinctive behavior to help others benefits not only individuals but also society as a whole. The spirit of mutual aid strengthens social bonds and enhances the ability to respond to crises. Volunteering during disasters and small acts of kindness in daily life are all rooted in this instinct.

Conclusion
The unconscious will to help others is deeply rooted in instinct. Empathy, cooperative behavior developed through evolution, reinforcement by culture and education, and the functioning of the brain’s reward system all support this instinctive behavior. Understanding this is key to exploring the foundation of our sociality and morality.

Be aware that the unconscious act of helping others stems from your instinct. Everyday acts of kindness not only improve our society but also contribute to our happiness.

Please share these insights and spread the importance of mutual help with those around you!