How does an altruist choose not to be

[RWStanding]

How does an altruist choose not to be
" The classic problem of free will is to reconcile an element of freedom with the apparent determinism in a world of causes and effects, a world of events in a great causal chain.
Determinists deny any such freedom.
Compatibilists redefine freedom. Although our will is determined by prior events in the causal chain, it is in turn causing and determining our actions. Compatibilists say that determinism by our will allows us to take moral responsibility for our actions.
Libertarians think the will is free when a choice can be made that is not determined or necessitated by prior events. The will is free when alternative choices could have been made with the same pre-existing conditions.
Freedom of the will allows us to say, "I could have chosen (and done) otherwise."
In a deterministic world, everything that happens follows ineluctably from natural or divine laws. There is but one possible future."
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How does an altruist decide not to be an altruist
The basis of humanity is our having Feelings and often Empathy together with a conscious semi-rational mind. Take a choice of these being 'god' given, or the stuff of god. An alternative that tells us nothing useful about the faculties. We merely know how they feel and can be used. Empathy may have an immediate genetic origin, but that is not an explanation of its essence.
What is left out of that equation is the power to act. What is usually called 'free will' is little but being able to say, 'I chose an action but might have done otherwise'. Presumably though, 'action' is mere mechanics arising out of the basic faculties.
If a person is born and survives infancy with the basic faculties, the fact of a smidgen of empathy will provide him with a degree of altruism. If he has no measureable empathy, perhaps reason will induce behaviour that apes altruism. People with an appetite need to be fed and can seldom do this without help. Empathy will make him see this appetite and need in others. and so tit for tat. A much greater degree of empathy and rational altruism will bring a more extreme feeling for others, with self-sacrifice, for family and friends an extension.
But the will and ability to do, also requires the courage to do. This also arising with self-sacrifice as an extension of empathy.
All in all every action by an altruist will be the product those forces that define a person. He will love or hate accordingly, and take action as logic or impetuosity decides. Afterwards, being rational he will reflect, and realize that there were alternatives and so be racked by his conscience accordingly. Post-prandial responsibility.
There will be times when alternatives have equal force. Can we therefore throw a dice.

[Walker]

Afterwards, being rational he will reflect, and realize that there were alternatives and so be racked by his conscience accordingly. Post-prandial responsibility.
There will be times when alternatives have equal force. Can we therefore throw a dice.

Not necessarily. The rational understanding is that no one could have done other than what they did. To think otherwise is simply either wishful thinking or regret.