Altruism A Concept Of Altruism - 1811 Words

Concept: Altruism Altruism derives from the French word autrui, meaning other people†. The simple definition: feelings and behavior that show a desire to help other people. The full definition: unselfish regard for or devotion to the welfare of others. (Merriam Webster Dictionary). People are willing to help others in times of need when a disaster happens regardless to their circumstances. This shows the heart of individuals toward others survival and recovery. Purpose of Concept Analysis The purpose of this concept, is to improve a concept analysis of altruism to observe the characteristics and attributes of the concept according to the eight steps of Walker Avant’s method. In this analysis of the concept of altruism, I will identify critical attributes of the Walker Avant’s method. Uses of the Concept The term altruism was coined, in French (altruisme), by Auguste Comte (1798–1857) in the first volume of his Systà ¨me de politique positive (1851–1854; System of positive polity). The first uses in English followed in the 1850s and 1860s in works by British thinkers sympathetic to Comte, including George Eliot, G. H. Lewes, and John Stuart Mill (see Dixon, 2005). In the Comtean system, altruism stood for the totality of other-regarding sentiments. (Thomas, 2005) The concept of Altruism is the thread that ultimately holds many lives, families and communities together. In this concept analysis of altruism, it will demonstration how people’s values lie in assisting inShow MoreRelatedAltruism, By Charles Darwin1463 Words   |  6 PagesAltruism is the practice of selfless concern for the well-being of others, or the behavior of an animal that benefits another at its own expense. Evidence shows that the act of altruism is unique in the world of animals. The interaction between those who are selfish and those who are altruistic is vital to human cooperation. A small group of altruistic people can give enough motivation to a large number of egotistical to move a mountain. Just as a large number of selfish people could push a smallRead MoreAltruism - True Altruism Does Not Exist Essay711 Words   |  3 Pagesâ€Å"True altruism does not exist†. Discuss with reference to psychological theory and research. Many have defined altruism in a similar context, a special form of helping behaviour that is â€Å"an act that is motivated by the desire to benefit another individual rather than oneself† (Hogg Vaughan, 2008). An altruistic act does not necessarily have a negative or zero value to the actor (Margolis, 1982) but a true altruistic act is detrimental to the actors fitness and enhances another individual’s fitnessRead MoreThe Theory Of Evolution By Natural Selection1486 Words   |  6 PagesAuguste Comte was the first to coin the term ‘Altruism’ in his 1852 book ‘Catà ©chisme positiviste’, translated in 1858 to ‘The Catechism of Positive Religion’. He used it to encapsulate an ethical belief of his alternatively expressed as ‘live for others’. Since then the term’s meaning has fluctuated somewhat; it’s been widely appropriated to a plethora of behaviours however possibly not as Comte meant it. In this essa y I intend to explain the evolution of the word, where you may or may not find altruisticRead MoreAltruism Of Society : Altruism1074 Words   |  5 PagesUISM IN SOCIETY 1 Altruism in Society Alicia Carnicelli University of Phoenix PSY 490 Stephanie Townes ALTRUISM IN SOCIETY 2 As per many of the responsibilities that surround my job description as a Caseworker, I administer a monthly teen group for adolescent girls that are at risk. These young ladies come from a host of environments that encase circumstances surrounding physical and/or sexual abuse, drug addiction, and other scenarios. As is customary with this demographicRead MoreProsocial Behavior984 Words   |  4 PagesProsocial Behavior Jennifer McReynolds University of Phoenix PSYCH 555 Dr. Kimberly Kinsey September 19, 2011 Prosocial Behavior Altruism can be defined as an unselfish desire to help other individuals. The issue of whether or not true altruism exists has been studied by social psychologists for a number of years. A brief summary of both sides of this argument will be provided. Each side as described by Jason Nier will be evaluated. One individual’s perspective on the subject will beRead MoreAltruism In Night By Eliezer Wiesel976 Words   |  4 PagesIn Night, altruism is what separates man from a beast of the concentration camp. Humans as a species differ from the majority of the animal kingdom in their willingness to sacrifice their own well-being for the benefit of others. To be human is to be compassionate and caring for your fellow man. In Night, Eliezer Wiesel shows that humanity can be usurped. Subjected to the inhuman conditions of the Nazi concentration camps, Eliezers sense of altruism and compassion essentially disappear, leavingRead MoreAltruism And It s Causes1581 Words   |  7 PagesIn this paper, I will be discussing the concept of altruism and it’s causes in relation to a story of a bus driver who risked her own life to save the children she was transporting. To achieve this goal I will: define the necessary concepts (part I), provide examples demonstrating the differing causes of altruism and how they relate to the event in question (part II), and refer to conducted research which supports and further describes the actions taken in my chosen event (part III). While thereRead MoreProsocial Behavior : Behavior And Altruism1654 Words   |  7 PagesProsocial behavior and altruism are two topics that are being studied within social psy- chology to try to understand the motivation behind humans to help those in need. Researchers have made various theories of why some people are more willing to help humans in need than other people and why people choose to help victims when they do. These theories do a great deal of explaining why exactly prosocial behavior a nd altruism occur when they do with regard to genetics, culture, and many other factorsRead MoreRand Ethics of Altruism1105 Words   |  4 PagesAltruism is a concept in which the individual sacrifices regard for themselves in the interest of another. The ethics of altruism state that a person should act in a matter where their self-sacrifice yields the greater well being on the whole. To put that statement in the form of a fundamental principle of rightness, an action is right if and only if (and because) the action brings a net-gain of well being to anyone except the individual performing the action. The altruistic mentality of an individual