(March 7, 2013 at 10:06 pm)MysticKnight Wrote: Well, some people don't feel emotions. It's like flat out gone. Yet they still have a sense of duty and praise.
It isn't due to their actions, it's simply due to mental illness.
I think it is always remarkable and praiseworthy whenever someone with a disability finds a way to overcome it. Anyone with flattened affect or the like who adhers to an objective set of morals for fear of doing harm is certainly being conscientious. But I wonder if that is really necessary when the person doing so is obviously so motivated to do right by other people. Perhaps they don't harbor any demons that might leak out? Their call however.
My own brother has always been a mean bastard to almost everyone. He joined the Mormon church at some point when he was really unhappy and probably clinically depressed. Very frankly I didn't voice any objection as I did worry about the harm he could do. (He is also a very big guy and prone to belligerence.)
When I was depressed I never had a worry about doing any harm. I don't have any such inclination. It is more, as you say, a question of remembering to make an effort for your own sake even when there is no reasonable expectation that happiness will follow. (Sometimes you have to prime the pump.)
