Is Altruism Intrinsic Truth or Conspiracy?

As the question states.

What do you think about Altruism? Is it something we're all born with? Is it a natural state? Or, is it a formula crafted by societies to convince people to do "good" without expecting a return?

I don't know, Connor ...

'Empathy' is natural among all of the great apes - of which the human one is. There is also some convincing scientific evidence that it is much stronger than any of our 'convictions'. You might want to check out some of the work of Dr Dan Batson, University of Kansas.

'Altruism' ... well -- it's an -ism.

'Empathy' is natural among all of the great apes - of which the human one is. There is also some convincing scientific evidence that it is much stronger than any of our 'convictions'. You might want to check out some of the work of Dr Dan Batson, University of Kansas.

Serial killers are empathic(Just listen to some of there confessions, and recollections of there crimes), but there empathy doesnt necessarily mean that empathy is altruistic, or will lead to such.


As it is, its not just stronger than convictions, but established laws and taboos as well.

That said, I dont believe in altruism, not do I think it is important or needed to measure a good deed by.

Altruism... i think its more of an ideal...and like any ideal only as valid or real as one is willing to make it...

I do many good deeds with no thought or desire for anything in return...I also do some not so good things with no thought or desire for anything in return...in short I do what I feel is needed at the time regardless of remuneration...

How are empathy and Altruism related? I'd see more of a correlation between selflessness and Altruism. To me, empathy suggests an understanding between all beings. And, like Khaos said, is evident even in serial killers. Altruism, or selflessness, is the act of having concern for others (and not only necessarily above the self).

As someone who studies evolution and animal behavior I can say with certainty that there is a ton of evidence for altruism not only being natural ,but of great evolutionary advantage. One of the things we should be learning is the advantages of interdependence over independence, that is by working together towards a common goal we can accomplish far more than any one individual ever could and the fact that we evolved as a social species instead of a bunch of loners shows this.

Here is an excellent lecture on the topic.

http://youtu.be/Y0Oa4Lp5fLE