Altruism
Concern for others independent of personal benefit or reciprocity.
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Altruism is a regard for the welfare of others that does not depend on personal gain or repayment. The French philosopher Auguste Comte, active in the 1800s, helped spread the term—and may have invented it—as a direct opposite of egoism. He built the word from Italian and Latin roots meaning "other people." It is often treated as a synonym for selflessness and the reverse of self-centeredness. Many cultures, belief systems, and religions treat altruism as a key moral value, and its scope can extend beyond humans to include other sentient beings and future generations.
Quick Facts
- Coined by
- Auguste Comte (1798–1857)
- Origin language
- French (altruisme)
- Etymology
- From Italian altrui, from Latin alteri ('other people')
- Field
- Philosophy
- ethics
- biology
- psychology
- Synonym
- Selflessness
- Antonym
- Egoism
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The word altruism was popularised (and possibly coined) by the French philosopher Auguste Comte around 1830 in French as altruisme, derived from the Italian altrui, which in turn came from Latin alteri, meaning 'other people' or 'somebody else'. Comte used it as an antonym of egoism.
Altruism may be considered a synonym of selflessness, the opposite of self-centeredness. In biology, altruism is observed when an individual performs an action at a cost to itself that benefits another individual, without expectation of reciprocity or compensation. 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'.
Reader's Guide
The concept of altruism has a history in philosophical and ethical thought, coined in the 19th century by Auguste Comte, and has become a major topic for psychologists, evolutionary biologists, and ethologists. Different fields lead to different perspectives on altruism. Cross-cultural perspectives show that in individualistic cultures, acts of altruism often bring personal joy, while in collectivist cultures, altruism is often seen as a responsibility to the group.
Evolutionary explanations include kin selection, vested interests, reciprocal altruism, direct reciprocity, indirect reciprocity, and strong reciprocity. The term altruism can also refer to a deontological ethical doctrine that claims individuals are morally obliged to benefit others, contrasted with deontological egoism. Effective altruism is the use of evidence and reason to determine the most effective ways to benefit others.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Altruism?
Altruism is the moral principle of prioritizing the well-being and survival of others without expecting personal gain or reciprocal benefit. It functions as a foundational ethical value recognized across a wide range of belief systems, cultural traditions, and philosophical traditions.
Who coined the term Altruism?
The French philosopher Auguste Comte (1798–1857) is credited with introducing the word around 1830, deliberately constructing it as the philosophical opposite of egoism. The term entered the French language as 'altruisme.'
What is the etymology of Altruism?
The word traces back through the Italian 'altrui' to the Latin 'alteri,' which simply means 'other people.' This linguistic root highlights the concept's core orientation toward those who are not oneself.
What is Altruism's antonym?
Egoism serves as the direct philosophical counterpart to Altruism, centering moral reasoning on self-interest rather than the welfare of others. Comte originally paired the two terms as deliberate opposites in his ethical vocabulary.
In what fields does Altruism appear?
The concept is actively studied across philosophy, ethics, biology, and psychology, reflecting its relevance to both abstract moral reasoning and observable behavior in living organisms. Its scope can extend well beyond human concern to encompass other sentient creatures and even future generations.
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Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Altruism (CC BY-SA 4.0).
- Word definitions: the Codexery glossary, each quoted from its Wikipedia article.
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