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There is a deep tension between self interest and a desire to help others. This tension can be resolved by evidence that we actually have an instinct for altruism. Read More
Reputation variances
I would figure that there is not a single reputation that is optimal for all circumstances.
So altruism might be but one tool in the toolbelt to build ones reputation. Hostility certainly could be another.
I would imagine that there is wide variance in levels of altruism across societies. That it exists seems self evident. That it is consistent is not self evident.
Do infants incline to
Do infants incline to altruism or are they disinclined from sadism?
Can you aggregate time in such a way as to suggest that a million people waiting for ten seconds collectively experience a ten million second delay?
Whose interests does such an aggregation serve?
Why serve them?
Self-interest rules
In many situations(I would say most situations) self-interest trumps altruism.
there are often lots of other
there are often lots of other factors canbe involved in the selfish behaviours like jealous mind and other negtive mood. sometimes the altruistic instinct can be submerged.
Dead link
It seems your Trivers' link is broken.
This article does not seem to me to seriously get to the bottom of this famous, important and complicated question.
Thanks for pointing this out.
Thanks for pointing this out. The link should work now.
Also, I think you're right that altruism is a deeply complex issue; this article is simply meant as an introduction to some of the big ideas in this field for those unfamiliar with all the details...
The link is fixed, but ...
This is a nice link. To JSTOR. It is working now. But I thought linking to a JSTOR article like this on a very public site would violate the terms of JSTOR's download policy. Maybe I don't understand this policy ... ?
Altruism is self deprivation.
Altruism is self deprivation. The connotation has been reshaped. To give without a true impact on self-survival is called generosity. Generosity is not altruism. Altruism is the social expectation that sacrifice (sacrifice being to give up something you need to live to someone who needs it too) is a responsibility of every member of a society. This is pure fascist/collectivist tripe.
It is quite possible to live without self sacrifice. One can be generous while not crossing the line into the dark territory of self-deprivation - they are not mutually exclusive. The American civilization at its core is not altruistic, it is capitalistic - the exchange of value for value.
Altruism as a concept was preached by the mystics of Nazi Germany in their brainwashing of the Hitler Youth. It is despicable evil. There is no better form of respect for a fellow man than to appreciate his value by exchanging for some of yours. How many people are generous because they are generous? How many are generous because they want other people to see how generous they are? To call altruism a selfless act is true... and a selfless person is not a man at all.
very Ayn Rand! nice.
very Ayn Rand! nice.
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