AI for Breakfast

Post 99 - Word Wednesday
Altruism

Altruism is the principle and practice of concern for the well-being and happiness of other humans or animals above oneself. It is often considered a synonym for selflessness and is the opposite of selfishness. The word "altruism" was popularized by the French philosopher Auguste Comte in French, as "altruisme," as an antonym for egoism.

There are several types of altruism, including reciprocal, moral, group-selected, and nepotistic altruism. Reciprocal altruism involves reciprocity and relates to the idea of ‘give and take’, meaning you help someone in the hope that they will return the favor. This idea of reciprocal altruism is especially relevant in politics, where the 'give and take' dynamic is seen as the norm, and giving without asking for anything in return is viewed as unusual. An example of reciprocal altruism politics is a coalition agreement, where the larger political party gives concessions, such as cabinet positions or enacting certain policies, of a smaller party, in exchange for the smaller party providing the necessary votes in parliament.

Moral altruism is one of the other types of altruism, and is also called pure altruism because it is the purest form of altruism. In moral altruism, there is no expectation of reciprocity. Group-selected altruism relates to belonging to a particular group. In other words, you might behave altruistically toward your friends because they are your group. Similarly, you might behave altruistically toward people from the same neighborhood because you identify with that group. When you donate to a charity, you might only donate to groups you feel you belong to. For example, as a woman, you only donate to charities that serve women. Nepotistic altruism is often called genetic altruism and relates to family and genetic relationships. The parent-child relationship is an example of nepotistic altruism, as parents often make selfless sacrifices for the welfare of their children, but they wouldn't make the same sacrifices for other people.

Whether "true" altruism is possible in human psychology is a subject of debate. The theory of psychological egoism suggests that no act of sharing, helping, or sacrificing can be truly altruistic, as the actor may receive an intrinsic reward in the form of personal gratification. The validity of this argument depends on whether such intrinsic rewards qualify as "benefits". The term *altruism* may also refer to an ethical doctrine that claims that individuals are morally obliged to benefit others. Used in this sense, it is usually contrasted with egoism, which claims individuals are morally obligated to serve themselves first. Effective altruism is the use of evidence and reason to determine the most effective ways to benefit others.

[1][2][3][4][5]

Sources:
 "Altruism." Wikipedia. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Altruism>
[1] "Altruism: Definition & Types - StudySmarter." StudySmarter. <https://www.studysmarter.co.uk/explanations/politics/political-ideology/altruism/>
[2] "Altruism." Merriam-Webster. <https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/altruism>
[3] "Altruism: How to Cultivate Selfless Behavior." Verywell Mind. <https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-altruism-2794828>
[4] "Altruism 101: Definition, Facts, Examples." Human Rights Careers. <https://www.humanrightscareers.com/issues/altruism-101-definition-facts-examples/>
[5] "What Is Altruism in Psychology? 8 Inspiring Examples." Positive Psychology. <https://positivepsychology.com/altruism/>

Citations:
[1] https://www.studysmarter.co.uk/explanations/politics/political-ideology/altruism/
[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Altruism
[3] https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-altruism-2794828
[4] https://www.humanrightscareers.com/issues/altruism-101-definition-facts-examples/
[5] https://positivepsychology.com/altruism/
[6] https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/altruism/
[7] https://www.apa.org/pubs/highlights/peeps/issue-48
[8] https://ethicsunwrapped.utexas.edu/glossary/altruism