Altruism
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Introduction
Altruism is an ethical position that stresses acting for the benefit of others. You learn that actions have moral value when they promote the happiness and well‑being of those around you. Auguste Comte, who coined the term, argued that individuals should live for the sake of others, serving humanity and subordinating their own desires【218450520890175†L121-L134】. Under altruism, you are morally obligated to help others; Comte wrote that an altruist lives for others and owes constant support to family, country and humanity【218450520890175†L135-L167】. This approach rejects egoism, which is driven by self‑interest, and instead calls for selflessness and compassion.
Historical origins
The idea of caring for others predates Comte and appears in many religious and philosophical traditions. Still, Comte turned the Latin verb *alter* (“other”) into a secular moral doctrine. His version of altruism insisted that you owe a duty of support to those around you, even if it means sacrificing personal comfort. This notion influenced Positivism and early sociology. While altruism embraces compassion, it also raises questions about boundaries: How far should one go in serving others, and does universal self‑sacrifice ignore personal rights?
Altruism in practice
In contemporary society, altruism underpins charitable work, volunteering and effective altruism. Individuals donate time and resources to causes that alleviate suffering. Organisations promote altruistic values through social programs and humanitarian aid. Some thinkers extend altruism to non‑human animals and the environment, emphasising animal welfare and sustainability. At the same time, debates continue about the balance between altruistic duties and self‑care.
Critiques and challenges
Critics argue that extreme altruism can undermine individual autonomy or enable exploitation. Others claim that true selfless altruism is impossible because acts of giving produce internal satisfaction. Psychological and evolutionary theories suggest that altruistic behaviour may be rooted in reciprocal altruism and kin selection. Reflect on how you can practise altruism without neglecting your own well‑being.
Interactive Tasks
Quiz: Test Your Knowledge
What does altruism emphasise? (Acting for the benefit of others) (!Acting solely for personal gain) (!Rejecting moral duties) (!Believing only in fate)
Who coined the term "altruism"? (Auguste Comte) (!Aristotle) (!Friedrich Nietzsche) (!Immanuel Kant)
According to Comte, what is the duty of an altruist? (To live for others and support family, country and humanity) (!To pursue wealth and power) (!To withdraw from society) (!To follow religious rituals)
Which idea is opposed to altruism? (Egoism) (!Compassion) (!Charity) (!Social solidarity)
What kind of obligation does altruism impose? (A moral obligation to benefit others【218450520890175†L135-L167】) (!A legal requirement to pay taxes) (!A duty to obey authority unquestioningly) (!No obligations at all)
How is altruism expressed in contemporary society? (Through charity, volunteering and humanitarian aid) (!By ignoring others’ needs) (!By isolating oneself) (!By competing aggressively)
Which psychological concept suggests altruism evolved through mutual benefit? (Reciprocal altruism) (!Total altruism) (!Ultimate egoism) (!Divine command)
What challenge does extreme altruism pose? (It can undermine individual autonomy) (!It guarantees material success) (!It promotes selfishness) (!It eliminates all conflict)
Why might some argue true selflessness is impossible? (Because helping others often brings personal satisfaction) (!Because all humans are inherently evil) (!Because laws forbid altruism) (!Because empathy does not exist)
Which of the following best describes Comte’s view on duties? (You owe a constant support to family, country and humanity【218450520890175†L135-L167】) (!You should avoid society entirely) (!You should focus only on personal happiness) (!You have no responsibilities whatsoever)
Memory
| Augueste Comte | Coined the term altruism |
| Egoism | Opposite of altruism |
| Charity | Practice of giving without expecting reward |
| Reciprocal altruism | Evolutionary explanation for mutual help |
| Selflessness | Putting others’ needs before your own |
Drag and Drop
| Assign the correct terms | Description |
|---|---|
| Altruism | Ethical doctrine of selfless concern for others |
| Egoism | Doctrine of self‑interest and personal gain |
| Auguste Comte | Philosopher who coined the term altruism |
| Reciprocal altruism | Mutual benefit through helping behaviours |
| Charity | Giving time or resources without expecting return |
Crossword Puzzle
| Altruism | Ethical doctrine emphasising selfless actions |
| Comte | Founder of positivism who coined altruism |
| Egoism | Opposing doctrine focusing on self |
| Charity | Voluntary giving to those in need |
| Compassion | Feeling of empathy that inspires altruism |
| Duty | Moral obligation to help others |
LearningApps
Cloze Text
Open Tasks
Easy
- Write a diary entry: Describe a time when you helped someone without expecting anything in return. How did it make you feel?
- Class discussion: In a small group, discuss whether humans are naturally altruistic or selfish. Summarise the group’s conclusions.
- Visual collage: Create a poster illustrating different examples of altruism in daily life (family, school, community).
Standard
- Research project: Investigate a charitable organisation and present how it embodies altruistic values.
- Case study: Analyse a situation where helping others conflicted with personal goals. How could one balance altruism and self‑care?
- Debate: Prepare arguments for and against the claim that “no act is truly selfless” and conduct a class debate.
Hard
- Ethics essay: Write an essay comparing altruism with utilitarianism and discuss which provides a stronger basis for moral action.
- Philosophical dialogue: Compose a dialogue between an altruist and an egoist exploring their different worldviews.
- Community service project: Design and implement a small volunteer project in your community and reflect on its impact.
Learning control
- Altruism vs. Egoism: Explain the key differences between altruism and egoism and provide real‑life examples.
- Historical influence: How did Auguste Comte’s positivism shape the concept of altruism?
- Psychological perspectives: Discuss evolutionary and psychological explanations for altruistic behaviour.
- Ethical dilemmas: Present a scenario where altruistic behaviour could harm the helper. How would you resolve it?
- Modern relevance: Evaluate the role of altruism in addressing global issues such as poverty and climate change.
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