by J D

Created on: June 03, 2009

Altruism: Selfishness or Selflessness?

For years, psychologists have been in search of evidence for genuine altruistic behavior, the unselfish concern for the welfare of others. Sure, we perform benevolent deeds everyday, just look around. We donate money to famine victims half way around the world. We stop on busy highways to help lonely drivers fix their flat tires in the middle of our hectic schedules. We care for young children who have fallen on the pavement. We comfort friends. We risk our lives to save innocent puppies trapped inside burning buildings on the ninth floor. However, psychologists have been skeptical of such acts because they are not truly altruistic. In fact they claim that there is no such thing as altruism because all apparent deeds of kindness are really only acts of selfishness in disguise (Barber, 2004). The performer always receives some form of benefit however subtle it may be, from material gains to praise and enhanced self-esteem. Biologists further claim that human nature is motivated by purely selfish reasons. We help relatives to ensure our genes will be passed on into the future or help strangers in hopes they will return the favor. After all, are we not all looking after our own selves living in a competitive, dangerous world? Therefore all altruistic behavior is pursued out of self-interest, not out of the true concern for another's welfare whether it be consciously or subconsciously (Crabtree, 2006). We are ultimately acting in order to gain a good feeling or relieve a bad one, and so we are motivated out of self-interest in the end (Mook, 1991). Although this may stand true for many of us, genuine altruism does exist. Humans who help voluntarily are not seeking to impress others or ease their own feelings of distress, but are rather acting on established moral emotions such as empathy with the pure desire of helping.

Advocates of the universal egoism theory, that helpful acts are motivated by selfishness, argue we are kind in order to impress others and gain social approval or acceptance. According to psychologist Bibb Latane: If looking good were the motive you'd be more likely to help with others watching. (Kohn, 1990). In many cases this undoubtedly stands true. Our sense of worth is extremely dependent upon others' judgments (Kohn, 1990). Living in a society that applauds and praises benevolent deeds, people will behave in a way that enhances their reputation and boosts their social position.

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