Altruism at the core of the SAF
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Altruism
Altruism can refer to:
* being helpful to other people with little or no interest in being rewarded for one's efforts (the colloquial definition). This is distinct from merely helping others.
* actions that benefit others with a net detrimental or neutral effect on the actor, regardless of the actor's own psychology, motivation, or the cause of her actions. This type of altruistic behavior is referred to in ecology as Commensalism.
* an ethical doctrine that holds that individuals have a moral obligation to help others, if necessary to the exclusion of one's own interest or benefit. One who holds such a doctrine is known as an "altruist."
(Taken from Wikipedia)
the quality of unselfish concern for the welfare of others
(Taken from www.cogsci.princeton.edu/cgi-bin/webwn2.1)
I feel that altruism is a core principle that lies at the heart of the purpose of the SAF.Being an NSF,I personally feel that while NS may be a bother to some people,the SAF is at its core an altruistic organisation that serves to benefit others,though it is very much different in reality due to the nature of the people involved in the SAF.
I think that this quality that is at the core of the founding of any defence force is the protection of others.To paraphrase a quote from the Kohima Memorial in Myanmar,"We gave our today for you to have a tomorrow".This is seen in the SAF mission,which is not only to deter possible agressors from Singapore,but from to defend its people as well in times of war.
This quality was also seen when the SAF sent a humanitarian mission to Meulaboh after the Dec 26 tsunami,one of the finer moments in SAF history in my opinion.
However,how this translates in reality is very much different due to human nature and workplace politics. -
What you posted was true, but in today's society, one can't help but feel skeptical. You may see the SAF as an altruistic organisation, but it is merely a government entity that provides a public good that no private firm will provide.
My way of seeing it, national defence is basic and essential, but not necessarily altruistic. I do believe that the Tsunami relief effort was purely an act of social responsibility though.
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SAF is a national institution that serves to defend Spore's interest. It is not an altruistic organisation.
SAF's effort in the recent Tsunami disaster is the diplomacy part of Spore's defence efforts. Although very laudable, it springs from the same basic intent.
Sorry if this view don't seem to be through rose-tinted glasses.
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it is also a perfect opportunity to test all thei eqipment in a real time crisis.