Some notes on Altruism
Altruism: (Alter: other) In general, the cult of benevolence; the opposite of Egoism (q.v.). Term coined by Comte and adopted in Britain by H. Spencer.
1. For Comte Altruism meant the discipline and eradication of self-centered desire, and a life devoted to the good of others; more particularly, selfless love and devotion to Society. In brief, it involved the self-abnegating love of Catholic Christianity redirected towards Humanity conceived as an ideal unity. As thus understood, altruism involves a conscious opposition not only to egoism (whether understood as excessive or moderate self-love), but also to the formal or theological pursuit of charity and to the atomic or individualistic social philosophy of 17th-18th century liberalism, of utilitarianism, and of French Ideology.
2. By extension the term has come to mean the pursuit of the good of others, whether motivated by either self-centered or other-centered interest, or whether by disinterested duty. By some it is identified with the protective and other-regarding feelings, attitudes, and behavior of animal life in general; while by others its use is restricted to mean such on the level of reflective intelligence. -- W.L.
Altruism (Principle and Tradition in ethics) — Altruism in philosophy is the principle that the happiness of others ought to be given greatest importance in one’s ethical decisions. While we could, in theory, describe this as a form of eudaimonism, it really isn’t, because eudaimonism is always a kind of individualism or egoism. Some forms of altruism put the emphasis more on duty or moral law rather than on the actual interests of other people, for example Kantianism and various other forms of deontologism. Obviously, altruistic forms of utilitarianism and pragmatism put a practical emphasis on consequences (see consequentialism), that is, on helping or having regard for the welfare of other people, rather than on some sort of abstract formulation like "moral law". Altruism is often taken to be a positive thing, especially by the average citizen. However, one has to tread carefully here, because in this common usage, "altruism" does not always refer to self-sacrifice, but sometimes only to an attitude of benevolence toward others (for example, dictionaries often define "altruistic" as "benevolent") — as always, but especially in this case, it is best to get the other person to clarify what he means before you "go on the offensive". Technical philosophical definitions do not always agree with any given individual’s understanding of an idea.
Egoism (Doctrine or Principle in ethics) — In philosophical content, egoism is really no different from individualism. However, in practical usage egoism is often equated with egotism and a total disinterest in or disregard for other people.
1. For Comte Altruism meant the discipline and eradication of self-centered desire, and a life devoted to the good of others; more particularly, selfless love and devotion to Society. In brief, it involved the self-abnegating love of Catholic Christianity redirected towards Humanity conceived as an ideal unity. As thus understood, altruism involves a conscious opposition not only to egoism (whether understood as excessive or moderate self-love), but also to the formal or theological pursuit of charity and to the atomic or individualistic social philosophy of 17th-18th century liberalism, of utilitarianism, and of French Ideology.
2. By extension the term has come to mean the pursuit of the good of others, whether motivated by either self-centered or other-centered interest, or whether by disinterested duty. By some it is identified with the protective and other-regarding feelings, attitudes, and behavior of animal life in general; while by others its use is restricted to mean such on the level of reflective intelligence. -- W.L.
Altruism (Principle and Tradition in ethics) — Altruism in philosophy is the principle that the happiness of others ought to be given greatest importance in one’s ethical decisions. While we could, in theory, describe this as a form of eudaimonism, it really isn’t, because eudaimonism is always a kind of individualism or egoism. Some forms of altruism put the emphasis more on duty or moral law rather than on the actual interests of other people, for example Kantianism and various other forms of deontologism. Obviously, altruistic forms of utilitarianism and pragmatism put a practical emphasis on consequences (see consequentialism), that is, on helping or having regard for the welfare of other people, rather than on some sort of abstract formulation like "moral law". Altruism is often taken to be a positive thing, especially by the average citizen. However, one has to tread carefully here, because in this common usage, "altruism" does not always refer to self-sacrifice, but sometimes only to an attitude of benevolence toward others (for example, dictionaries often define "altruistic" as "benevolent") — as always, but especially in this case, it is best to get the other person to clarify what he means before you "go on the offensive". Technical philosophical definitions do not always agree with any given individual’s understanding of an idea.
Egoism (Doctrine or Principle in ethics) — In philosophical content, egoism is really no different from individualism. However, in practical usage egoism is often equated with egotism and a total disinterest in or disregard for other people.
posted by Mabreg at 11:53 AM
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