Three Principles Of Altruism

Altruism could be defined as a moral tenet which dictates that individuals have an ethical responsibility to help or benefit others, even at the sacrifice of one’s own self interest, if required. Altruism as a word is originally derived from the Italian word ‘alturi’, which in turn was derived from the Latin word ‘alteri’, meaning “other people” (Ciciloni, 1838). In simple terms, altruism is the concept of concern and care for the welfare of others and the presence of a continuous desire to lend a helping hand to them. However, it has been mystifying philosophers and scientists for centuries as it is understood and explained differently in terms of sociology, neurobiology, and religion, although there is a common denominator between the three principles as they all highlight certain human nature act or a typical social behavior among humans. There is a myriad of studies and concrete proof within the confines of the realms of the principles I mentioned above which give grounds for the idea that true altruism does not exist.

First, altruism has been continuously discussed in sociology as Auguste Comte, who is often regarded as the founder of modern sociology, is often credited with originating the concept of Altruism. To begin, Sociobiologists argue that “altruistic behavior has its roots in self-interest, the unconscious desire to protect one 's genetic heritage” (sociologyindex, nd). Moreover, this idea is supported by the kin selection theory, popularized by W.D Hamilton,