The concept of altruism defines a special moral principle that makes people selflessly help others, and often sacrificing their own interests, desires and needs. Auguste Comte, the French philosopher who formed this definition, believed that the main motto of the altruist was the phrase "live for others".
The problem of altruism
Often one can hear the opposition of altruism as the highest degree of rejection of one's own interests, and egoism as the highest degree of self-concentration. However, in fact, these two concepts are often confused, substituting one for the other, since the altruist believes that he does acts based only on the desire to help others, and in fact he can pursue personal benefits, which in itself contradicts the notion of altruism.
Egoism and altruism in psychology are often supplemented by another concept - egotism. Healthy egotism is the satisfaction of one's own interests, not at the expense of other people, which is considered the most logical, correct and healthy position, while selfishness is criticized for ignoring social norms to suit one's own interests.
However, there are also quite a lot of altruism problems, because people with unmet moral needs become altruists. There can be many, but one of the most important is the need to be someone necessary, which is realized in this way.
On the other hand, altruism is helping others, proceeding from the spiritual motives and interests of the individual, that is, constructive practice that allows the individual to achieve his own needs by helping others.
Examples of altruism
It is possible to look at this phenomenon from completely different points of view, and it is easier to do this by considering examples of altruism.
- A woman cares for her husband and children, helps her neighbors,
gives donations to the poor, but at the same time does not find time for himself, his interests, hobbies and appearance. - The wife of a drunken alcoholic who tolerates a drunken husband, tries to help him in some way, or by humility simply cares for him, forgetting about himself.
In these two examples, altruistic behavior is associated with the realization of the need for needs, in which a person usually does not even acknowledge himself. However, there are other examples where, whatever one may say, there are no benefits for the person himself. For example, a soldier who covers his body with a mine so that his companions can pass. As a result, the hero dies, having performed a feat, and helping his fatherland to win - and this is a true altruism, in which there is no share of its benefits.