Diff: Altruism
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'''Altruism''', a term coined by the French philosopher [[Auguste Comte]] in the 19th century, is a principle or practice of showing concern for the welfare of others. It is often expressed as selfless acts of kindness or charity, with the aim of benefiting others without any expectation of personal gain. |
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'''Altruism''' is concern for the welfare of others. In ordinary use it describes helping behaviour, generosity or self-sacrifice. In philosophy and psychology it is used more carefully to discuss motivation, moral duty and whether an action is done for another person's sake. |
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== History == |
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The concept of altruism has roots in various philosophical and religious traditions, including Christianity, Buddhism, and Confucianism. The idea that individuals should care for others and act in their best interests has been a guiding principle in many societies throughout history. Altruistic behaviours can be seen as an essential part of human nature, driven by the innate desire to help and care for others. |
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The word is associated with the French philosopher Auguste Comte, who used it as a contrast to egoism. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy notes that Comte also coined the word sociology. |
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== Psychological Perspective == |
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In psychology, altruism is often seen as a form of prosocial behaviour, where individuals act to benefit others without regard for their own interests. This can include actions such as helping someone in need, donating to charity, or volunteering. Altruistic behaviour is often associated with empathy, the ability to understand and share the feelings of others, and is considered a fundamental aspect of human social interactions. |
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== Meaning == |
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Altruism is usually contrasted with selfishness or egoism. An altruistic action is aimed at benefiting someone else, even where the person acting pays a cost in time, effort, money, risk or comfort. |
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== Evolutionary Perspective == |
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From an evolutionary perspective, altruism can be seen as a way for individuals to ensure the survival of their genes by helping relatives or members of their social group. This idea is known as "kin selection" or "inclusive fitness." The ability to cooperate and engage in altruistic behaviours has been a crucial factor in the success of human societies, allowing for the development of complex social structures and the establishment of mutually beneficial relationships. |
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The idea is not limited to dramatic sacrifice. Donating blood, helping a stranger, volunteering, caring for family, defending someone who is being mistreated and sharing resources can all be described as altruistic depending on motive and context. |
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== Sociological Perspective == |
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In sociology, altruism is often studied in the context of social norms and group dynamics. Altruistic behaviours can be influenced by social pressures and cultural expectations, as well as personal values and beliefs. Altruism can also play a role in maintaining social cohesion and promoting a sense of community, as individuals come together to support each other and address common challenges. |
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== Ethics == |
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In ethics, altruism raises questions about what people owe to others. Some moral theories treat helping others as central to a good life, while others argue that self-interest, rights, fairness or consent must also be considered. |
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== Types of Altruism == |
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Britannica describes altruism in ethics as a theory that regards the good of others as the end of moral action. That does not mean every ethical theory agrees that altruism should override every other value. |
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* Direct Altruism: Involves a direct act of kindness or charity towards another individual or group. |
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* Indirect Altruism: Involves actions that benefit others indirectly, such as supporting a cause or participating in a community event. |
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* Reciprocal Altruism: Involves helping others with the expectation of receiving help in return. |
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* Altruistic Punishment: Involves taking a personal cost to punish individuals who behave selfishly or unfairly. |
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== Psychology == |
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Psychology studies altruism as a form of prosocial behaviour. Researchers ask why people help, when empathy matters, how social norms affect giving, and whether apparently selfless acts can still involve indirect benefits such as reputation or emotional relief. |
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== Criticism and Debates == |
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The question is not only whether people help, but why they help. A person may act from compassion, loyalty, duty, habit, guilt, social pressure or a wish to be seen as good. |
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* Altruism vs. Egoism: Some argue that true altruism does not exist and that all actions are ultimately motivated by self-interest. |
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* Altruism and Evolution: Critics of evolutionary theories of altruism argue that humans are capable of acting altruistically even when it does not benefit them genetically. |
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* Social vs. Genetic Altruism: The debate continues over whether altruism is primarily a result of social or genetic factors. |
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== Evolutionary Accounts == |
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Evolutionary accounts examine how helping behaviour can persist when it has costs. Common explanations include kin selection, reciprocal altruism, group cooperation and reputation. |
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== Examples of Altruism == |
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These accounts do not reduce every human act to biology. They explain why social species may develop patterns of helping, punishment and cooperation that can support survival and group stability. |
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* Donating to charity |
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* Volunteering at a soup kitchen |
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* Rescuing someone in danger |
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* Helping a friend in need |
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* Donating blood or organs |
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* Supporting environmental causes |
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== Effective Altruism == |
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Effective altruism is a modern movement that asks how people can use evidence and reasoning to do more good with limited resources. It is associated with cause prioritisation, charity evaluation, global health, animal welfare and long-term risk debates. |
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== Conclusion == |
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Altruism is a complex and multi-faceted concept that has been studied from various perspectives. Whether motivated by social norms, personal beliefs, or evolutionary factors, acts of altruism can have a positive impact on individuals and society as a whole. The recognition and encouragement of altruistic behaviours can contribute to the creation of more compassionate and supportive communities. |
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The movement is separate from altruism as a general concept. A person can be altruistic without belonging to effective altruism, and critics of effective altruism may still value altruistic behaviour. |
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== See Also == |
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* [[Guardians]] |
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* [[Moral_Alignment_Portal]] |
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* [[Neutrality]] |
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== References == |
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* [https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/altruism/ Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: altruism] |
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* [https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/comte/ Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: Auguste Comte] |
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* [https://www.britannica.com/topic/altruism-ethics Encyclopaedia Britannica: altruism] |
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[[Category:Philosophy]] |
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[[Category:Psychology]] |