Do You Believe In Altruism?

I did write an article arguing the case for altruism sometime last year. The full article is here. http://www.socyberty.com/Philosophy/Why-Altruism-Is-Not-A-Myth.164399 The main points in it 1. Altruism is actually a desirable trait and all individuals possess it to a certain degree. 2. While it is true that there are cases where altruistic individuals appear to be handicapped by this "desirable trait", the same could also be said for other desirable traits and that although altruism without complementing traits might hinder an individual, it doesn't mean that altruism is not a desirable trait. 3. The feel-good factor that you gain from commiting an altrusic act is no different from the feel-good factor that you get from getting genuine praise for being beautiful, being intelligent or other desirable traits. 4. And just like you are still intelligent or still beautiful without being praised at that very moment, altruism is still there, regardless of whether an act of altruism is being performed at that very moment. 5. If it were true that altruism were a selfish act, committed for social gain or esteem in the eyes of one's peers, then no one would be willing to commit themselves to the more dangerous forms of altruism acts, like saving drowning people etc. They could easily do things like donate blood which is less dangerous, and has the same potential benefits and still reap the rewards of altruism.

People who live as altruists for the sake of social or materialistic gains don't qualify as altruists at all. Most altruists happen to live life for the others and that brings them satisfaction. They dedicate their life to serve other people and live an austere lives themselves and do not care much about themselves and this brings them happiness. This is a form of personal gain or gratification which is contrary to the rules of strict altruism. There are some of them who might live as altruists because they think that being altruists is the right thing to do and they do so because of they want to keep their conscience clear. They wouldn't want the guilt of serving self and are staunch principle centered people which has the concept of ego. Then there is religion which says people to be altruists and people are following it blindly just because the religion said so and chances are that if the religion said the opposite, they would do the same thing or just wouldn't do it at all. So this is not true altruism either as there should be a genuine justification for altruism. I want to serve people because God wants me to serve people has the concept of 'I and God' and I would say that it is not true altruism. True altruists, do they exist? Maybe. It is quie possible to defy all odds and become a complete person which is not an easy thing to do at all. So the concept of true altruism exists but I don't know if true altruists exist. Is altruism the right thing to do? I don't think so. I don't think one must let go of oneself completely. If that was the case an individual on earth wouldn't be created in the first place and it would have been a unified whole as I believe it is in the outer life. There is also the concept of whether we should help everyone without taking it into account that they deserve it or not. I think people who deserve it should be helped and not everyone. People who don't put personal effort or who do wrong things need to address Karma, so sufferings that any person undergoes might be universe settling the scores and so we shouldn't feel extremely bad about it and feel broken. I would help people who need help and truly deserve to be helped. I am not an altruist and I would like to help people because doing good brings me satisfaction, happiness and I think it is also my responsibility.

No I don't believe there is such a thing as true or pure altruism. Any act a person does is motivated by something be it ego, reward, direct benefit or indirect benefit. Even when someone who says they are giving for the sake of giving is not digging deep enough into their own psychology. Giving makes one feel good about oneself, therefore egoism. I don't believe that's a bad thing at all, simply a motivation. If there is no motivation to act, there is no action. There does not necessarily have to be direct personal gain. We all know that doing something to benefit our family, group, community, country or planet will benefit us directly or indirectly. Taking the pragmatic approach is simply the search for the truth and underlying causes for action and reaction. Also not a bad thing at all. In fact it is ultimate reasoning and rationality. This does not negate an altruistic approach to life, it simply explains the motivation behind it.

To me, altruism or pure form of it is not true. I know for a fact that I do help or make sacrifice to please myself. I help others for my own satisfaction. just like you you help for the sake of helping but why are helping for the sake of helping? it is to satisfy yourself and feel good about your self because you help for the sake of helping..

I believed there are people like that exist, but in a small number or rare. I normally found these type of unselfishness or selfless acts mainly are performed by religious person who believe in a true religion which teach the correct interpretation of God words. Many time , that person does not receive any benefit in tangible term like money, gift or even a thank you, but he will still go around helping those in need within his capacity with a reward that others can not measure through worldly gains or even see physically, the reward can only be feel by him self in his inner world.