From Darwin to Eternity

Evolutionary moral psychology.

by Michael Price, Ph.D.

The Dark Side of Altruism

By Michael E. Price, Ph.D. on January 27, 2012 in From Darwin to Eternity

The mobster Jimmy Burke was renowned both for his spectacular generosity and his terrifying cruelty. How could two traits that seem so different co-exist in the same person? The answer to this question has important implications for our understanding of human altruism. Read More

Thanks for the interesting take

Submitted by Ravi Chandra, M.D. on January 29, 2012 - 12:53pm.

Thanks for this...but I am reminded of Dante's words, to the effect, "love shared is increased, money shared is halved." Most of us actually feel good and better when we are giving. It's not simply for selfish reasons - although we are generally liked better when we give, and thus receive affection in a positively reinforcing loop. When we connect to love and altruism, my experience is that we are connecting to higher, stabilizing forces spiritually. I don't think you can leave out the spiritual aspects of selflessness, the importance of deepening the groove of compassion for our own well being as well as the well being of the world.

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Altruism

Submitted by Anonymous on January 29, 2012 - 2:34pm.

I think Jimmy Burke was duplicitous by nature. Lately I always hear the term 'giving back' used to generate volunteerism. Frankly what I would have to give back would, if it were on even terms with what I received most of the time, not something very kind, mostly, nothing.
I like to demonstrate and advocate self-reliance. I also warn people about really getting to know who someone is by watching and listening clearly.
That is my idea of altruism.

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Michael Price, Ph.D., is a lecturer at the psychology department at Brunel University, West London. He is also the co-director at the Centre for Culture and Evolutionary Psychology.

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