At
a book signing…
.
 |
| Guido Verbeck |
Author: He did a lot of
things: moved from Holland to America, became an engineer, resolved to become a
missionary, moved to Japan, became a teacher, learned the language, established
universities, became an advisor to the government; some of his students became
prime ministers. He was a hard worker.
.
Reader: I'm curious how Verbeck was motivated. Were there triggers in his life?
.
Author: I'd say there is
evidence for that. When he was an engineer in Arkansas he saw the effects of
slavery, and he nearly died of cholera. He even said these things made him look
for a more spiritual path.
.
Reader: I liked your book.
Would you sign my copy?
__________
Voice-over
Altruism, first proposed by
Auguste Comte, is the doing good for the benefit of others without expectation
of reciprocity. One reason is that the giver may feel some intrinsic
satisfaction. But there may be other reasons. Verbeck moved from Holland to the
United States and then to Japan. Becoming a missionary may have provided him
with the means to explore a fascination with cultural exoticism. Whatever the
reasons, he achieved much, did good works, and was fortunate in the students he
taught.
...
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