“Helping others may be as primal a human pleasure as food or sex.” – Nicholas D. Kristof, NYTimes

In an op-ed by Nicholas D. Kristof, the act of giving is equated to food or sex in their ability to provide human pleasure. It is a post that introduces the premise of a new book titled, “The Happiness Hypothesis“, and it’s one that I can agree with.

Throughout time, people have given to help those in need. They still do, as is seen in the aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti. People also give to feel good about themselves. It’s a euphoric feeling that is not only one-sided, but has benefits for the receiving end.

Kristof ties this to a humanistic need to be social and to contribute to society. It’s an old idea, but it’s always a good read.

Update – 02/13/2010

I’m in the process of reading The Happiness Hypothesis. Will post a review soon after completing it.