Hi Ted,

Like yourself I have only heard the term used contemptuously.

In context it tends to point to people who play by the rules or show an aversion to shart-cuts.  I think it is an update on the older term "goody-goody."

I have never heard it used in the context of someone who refuses to do good because it would be against the rules so I do not know if there is a real difference between the two.

Grace and peace to you.

John

Interestingly enough the Oxford dictionary describes "do-gooder" as "earnest, idealistic, would-be reformer".

But my context understanding also has been a negative one.

A do-gooder focuses on the "do" first and the "good" second - perhaps for do-gooders the doing is more important that the actual act.  My perception is that do-gooders do before they sometime think if it is really what should be done in the moment.

Whereas for a good doer . . . the person is a doer, but good is an adjective to describe them . . . the do they do is . . . well, . . . good.

In my mind they conjure up different, opposing thoughts.