I feel like this is what people tell themselves that can't accept who they really are.
They need an internal explanation for why their are so much more moral and better than the rest. It's like the idea that they are just made of the same atoms that just follow the laws of physics and have all the same neural pathways and are not some divine, good being is inconceivable to them.
Have you ever helped someone without some connection to a reward?
As a thought experiment, you are in a room with a deaf, blind dying person--they will soon be gone from this world. They are reaching for water you can see on their bedside, but can't quite reach it.
Do you bother to cross the room to hand it to them if they will never "be aware of your virtue"? Why expend the energy? Compassion is real, for those who have it.
And to be clear, my definition of evil isn't intended here as some religious appeal. In my view, we are all playing an iterated prisoner's dilemma with each other, and good is believing in a better world and collaborating, while evil is defecting and making everything worse for everyone.
the wise man bowed his head solemnly and spoke: "theres actually zero difference between good & bad things. you imbecile. you fucking moron" - dril (https://twitter.com/dril/status/473265809079693312)
It's ironic you should allude to religion in this, particularly as many religions literally speak of the inherent evil that afflicts most of mankind and which is so hard to overcome. Cf original sin.
Now I don't believe that, and I'm not religious, but I'm just pointing out that your statement doesn't work. If anything, the average religious person has a much darker take on human nature.
Personally I think that many humans care to varying degrees, but real advanced selfless concern for the suffering of other beings is quite rare.
They need an internal explanation for why their are so much more moral and better than the rest. It's like the idea that they are just made of the same atoms that just follow the laws of physics and have all the same neural pathways and are not some divine, good being is inconceivable to them.