The word (if google/wiki is to be trusted) has its origins in eastern religion/philosophy.
So that alone can bug some of us westerners. Who have world-view differences. But ... heck.... it doesn't matter
WHAT the origin of *that* particular word is, it still just reeks of an implication that: There is something outside of ourselves . That/who is "sorting out deeds", blah blah. And we simply
*can't go there*. Right ?
I get it.
And even if we subscribe to strict physicalism, then : Someone could still try to say the pithy saying :
"What comes around goes around". But even that isn't actually true. Because persons who refuse to help, never contribute, etc... and simply take-advantage of other's hospitalities and handouts, actually DO QUITE FINE. So ironically : Selfishness and greed actually aid: ALL THE MORE to: "Get your genes into the next generation". Right ?
I had this debate with a close md'ing buddy of mine. He questioned why I would take newbies to spots that we busted our balls to research and find. He'd ask something like:
"Since when have they showed US sites?" As if, he was unwilling to befriend a fellow md'r, unless *they first* showed us some producing sites. Otherwise, they'd potentially just be one-way-leeches . Or that there would be "less goodies for us".
At first, my feeble defense was to say that :
"In the future, they're likely to reciprocate." (ie.: karma, if you want to call it that).
But then one day I came to my senses and realized: "Wait !!?? Is that what it's all about ? Is all our acts of kindness SIMPLY because we
'expect something in return?' " . Or is it possible (just maybe) that you do something kind for another person, with no expectation of payment/reciprocation ?
For example: If you help a little old lady across the street, are you doing so because you expect her to give you $10 ? Or maybe, just maybe, might get zero recognition, zero pay, etc.... ?
So the point is: Even if this silly Karma term were untrue (and you will simply be spit upon, in return) : SO WHAT ! If the point of life is to always "avoid being spit on" (and/or to "maximize our own wealth"),
then sure: Don't ever share. Don't ever expend your energy to help others, etc....
If all we exist for, is to "get our genes into the next generation", then
yes: We should all do *only* what "benefits us". Think about it.