by Piper Wilson

Created on: December 21, 2008   Last Updated: January 26, 2009

What can explain a person who risks their life in order to save another? Would that explanation differ if the person risking themselves is doing it as a function of their job? Must the "risker" be someone that has no predetermined role or obligation to the person they are trying to save?

On January 13, 1982, Air Florida Flight 90 crashed into the frigid, ice covered waters of the Potomac River during take off. There were 79 people on board. Arnold D. Williams, Jr, age 50, was one of the survivors holding on to some floating wreckage of the plane when a rescue helicopter arrived. That helicopter dropped life vests and a flotation ball to the river; Mr. Williams handed all of them to other survivors. The crew also lowered life lines that dragged survivors across the ice to the river bank. Five people were saved by the helicopter crew and Mr. Williams, but when the helicopter returned for Mr. Williams, he was gone.

Flight 90 crashed during a snowstorm that caused ice to build up on the wings. The helicopter was hovering above the sinking wreckage of an aircraft in an effort to save the lives of a pitifully small number of people before the frigid waters of the Potomac claimed their lives too. Looking down on the scene, the experienced crew undoubtedly had an idea what caused the crash. It doesn't take much ice to almost disrupt the aerodynamics of an airplane; it takes even less to disable a helicopter. That helicopter crew was risking their lives to do their job. Does the fact that they were doing their duty negate their possible sacrifice; the altruistic nature of that risk? Or is Mr. Williams the only one in this disaster that deserves that distinction?

The debate about altruism has been growing in recent years. The arguments surrounding altruism are hampered by the lack of a standard, accepted definition for altruism. In order for an act to be considered altruistic, can there be a reward for the actor or must the act be one that is truly sacrificial? Are there rewards that could be considered acceptable (perhaps minor) enough for the act to be altruistic? Scientists are studying altruism by subjectively observing the behavior of animals and human beings. They are also using medical tests such as fMRI to objectively study the neurological aspects of altruism. How do these tests affect the philosophical debate about altruism?

In simple terms altruism can be described as "resource sharing motivated by charity or an "unselfish regard for or devotion to the welfare

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