Why is there good in the world?

If you go to the Internet you will find many religious sites trying to answer the question, “If God is good, why is there evil in the world?” I think a more interesting question is, “Why is there good in the world?” If people acted only in their own self-interest, why don’t they just lie, cheat, and steal to get what they want at the expense of others? Some people have proposed that we don’t because we realize that, if we did, others would do the same, and we don’t want them to do that to us. I call this virtue through fear. Alexis de Tocqueville (if you’re not familiar with him, you should read his Democracy in America) held the notion that Americans voluntarily joined together in associations to further the interests of the group. He called this “Enlightened Self-interest.”
   However, I’ve got another idea. It’s just that there is something within us all that knows “the right thing to do.” Call this conscience, call it goodness, call it spirituality… Somewhere within us all is an innate knowledge of good and evil. And, most of us choose to do what is good. But even that’s not enough… It is not a choice. We do not say to ourselves, “Shall I do this or that?” We just act. And, almost always, that act is the one of kindness, generosity, and love. An amazing thing, the human mind. Then again, some say it’s hard wired into our DNA. Whatever it is, let us be thankful that it exists.
   Of course, there is always H.L. Mencken’s definition of conscience: Conscience is the still small voice that warns us that someone may be looking.
   Finally, I would like to thank everyone for their counsel and support during this past year. It has been an honor and a privilege to have been allowed to serve as your President. I could not be prouder of representing such a warm and caring family.In Peace & Love,
Al