Altruism

I have this theory (well - it's a modified version of a more learned man's theory, but anyway) that happiness comes from helping others. That it ONLY comes from helping others. The reason being that most genetically advantageous activities bring an immediate reward - eating, drinking etc..., but altruism requires the suspension of a selfish individual's beliefs so that the benefits of cooperation-over-time can start to kick in. My theory is that happiness is the way our genes program us to suspend our disbelief, and that, therefore the only way to achieve happiness is through altruism.

This theory is quite probably very flawed but, as a scientist, I am experimenting to see what happens when I help people unconditionally.