Ethics and Integrity Altruism Altruism or selflessness is the principle or practice of concern for the welfare of others. It is a traditional virtue in many cultures and a core aspect of various religious traditions and secular worldviews. Altruism or selflessness is the opposite of selfishness. The word was coined by the French philosopher Auguste Comte in French. Altruism can be defined as an individual performing an action which is at a cost to themselves but benefits, either directly or indirectly, another third-party individual, without the expectation of reciprocity or compensation for that action. It involves act of sharing, helping or sacrificing . Altruism may also refer to an ethical doctrine that claims that individuals are morally obliged to benefit others. Used in this sense, it is usually contrasted with egoism, which is defined as acting to the benefit of ones self.
Posted on: Sun, 14 Dec 2014 14:37:21 +0000