Altruism

Running Head: ALTRUISM
ALTRUISM
Name of the Student
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Author Note

1ALTRUISM
Altruism can be defined as the principle and practice of a very ideal and moral
concern for humanity and the betterment of humanity. It is a behavior that invests in the well
being of other living creatures and believes in giving. Material wealth and spirituality
coexists in this case. In other words, it can also be called self sacrifice. This essay will be
arguing if the human mind is innately designed to be self sacrificial. This will be done by
discussing various perspectives about altruism, which is very theoretical and checking if any
theory disconfirms the same.
It is a known fact that survival is a lot like a competition. The fittest is quick to grab
the goods and make a run for it. Evolution theorists have always focused on competition and
the inherent ruthlessness of natural selection processes. However, there is a very critical fact
that has to be considered in these cases, survival would have been impossible without
charitable group effort (Kruger, 2003). Social reciprocity was an important characteristic that
has to be considered.
There are two theories revolving around altruism. The theories are Kin Selection
Theory and Empathy-Altruism theory. The Kin Selection theory works deep within the level
of genes. It is a biological level and it works without the human consciousness in loop, it is
innate and engraved deep within the human mind. This theory talks about altruism bring
highly self sacrificial and any altruistic behaviors has a cost that has to be borne by the
individual. Egoism plays an enormous role in this theory as humans in this case is selfish and
the kin is favored above everyone else because the person is related to the kin and they have
genetic similarity (Foster, Wenseleers & Ratnieks, 2006).. Research has proved that there are
people who behave more altruistically towards their kin but the ‘why’ has not yet been
unearthed. These people do not behave altruistically towards people who are not related.
Evolutionary theories cannot be tested as such but empirical support has been found out for
the kin theory. People tend to donate organs or put their lives in danger for people related to

2ALTRUISM
them. Computer simulations that are very mathematical in nature demonstrate that kin
selection is a theory that can possibly explain the selection processes involved in evolving
together.
The empathy-altruism theory on the other hand focuses on human emotion to be the
factor that primarily motivates the focus on altruism orb sacrifice for the welfare of others.
This unlike kin selection theory is conscious effort. This theory believes that altruism
increases other people’s welfare. The fact that sacrifices and compromises have a cost
involved is not taken into consideration. It focuses purely and simply on helping others. This
however does not rule out the fact that humans are truly altruistic despite this pointing
towards a more conscious effort. This theory can be explained by the fact that people extend
a helping hand often when they feel empathy but it has been noted that this relationship
between empathy and altruism is not clear and linear. People often feel sympathy and
consciously choose not to help the other person. Unlike the kin selection theory, this theory
can be tested out in lab conditions but it has been realize that it is difficult to operationalize
concepts that are a little vague, like empathy.
Empathy invokes a genuine desire to help. When placed in someone else’s shoes, a
person can realize the amount of suffering and pain the other person maybe in. Humans can
perceive a situation or emotion that the other person is facing and decide if the other person
has to be helped or not. The conscious effort genuinely motivates a person to help the other
person in need. This has especially been seen in human when empathy leads them to
understand the situation and relate with the situation. Maybe the helper had a past that was
painful in a similar way and thus he or she feels the need to completely support the other
person because they do not want to see others suffering the same way they did. All humans
know pain and it is only humane and moral that one tries to help the one in pain. This is a two
way situation. Both positive and negative emotions can be invoked in these cases. Positive