You seem to be implying that people are only motivated to help because they don't want the guilt of seeing people in need. While this may be true for some, it's awfully pessimistic.
I did also imply that people are willing to help because they want to feel themselves good about helping.
Yes, I am a cynical bastard. But I think i is safer to design important institutions in society assuming bad about people instead of assuming good about them.
While I don't share your cynicism (acknowledging that naivete can be an equal or greater problem) I think it's true that ideally we should design systems that don't rely on altruistic behaviour.
Yes, I am a cynical bastard. But I think i is safer to design important institutions in society assuming bad about people instead of assuming good about them.