Dictionary.com tells
that Altruism is:-
the
principle
or
practice
of unselfish
concern
for or
devotion to
the
welfare
of
others
(opposed
to
egoism ).
or
behavior
by
an
animal
that
may
be
to
its
disadvantage
but
that
benefits
others
of
its
kind,
as
a
warning cry
that
reveals
the
location
of
the
caller
to
a
predator.
These are reasonable explanations. The Wikipedia gives it an extra meaning; telling us that Altruism is a concern for others, compassion, the opposite of selfishness but distinguishes it from loyalty. If it becomes disloyalty; working against one's own then it is Pathological Altruism, acting against long term interests, against survival.
Being concerned for the family, clan tribe or nation is Enlightened Self-Interest or just Self-Interest; ultimately caring about the greater good of one's own is loyalty, indeed it is Patriotism. Recall what The Bible tells us at John 15:13 -
Greater love hath no man than
this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
It does not say that about his enemies or rivals.
Altruism
ex Wiki Altruism in biological organisms can be defined as an individual performing
an action which is at a cost to themselves (e.g., pleasure and quality of life,
time, probability of survival or reproduction), but benefits, either directly or
indirectly, another third-party individual, without the expectation of
reciprocity or compensation for that action. Altruism can be distinguished from feelings of
loyalty, in
that whilst the latter is predicated upon social relationships, altruism does
not consider relationships. Much debate exists as to whether "true"
altruism is possible in human psychology. The theory of
psychological egoism suggests that no act of sharing, helping or sacrificing
can be described as truly altruistic, as the actor may receive an
intrinsic reward in the form of personal
gratification. The validity of this argument depends on whether
intrinsic rewards qualify as "benefits." The concept has a long history in
philosophical and
ethical
thought. The term was originally coined in the 19th century by the founding
sociologist and
philosopher of science,
Auguste Comte, and has become a major topic for
psychologists (especially
evolutionary psychology
researchers),
evolutionary biologists, and
ethologists.
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, though the concept of "others" toward whom concern should be
directed can vary among cultures and religions. Altruism or selflessness is the
opposite of
selfishness.