Abstract
This paper presents and discusses the evidence for and against the supposition that an altruistic personality exists. It examines whether there really is such a thing as an altruistic act, which stems from a desire to help someone for its own sake or do people do things, which in the end promote their self-interest. It looks at how this question has been a subject for debate for many years, by moral philosophers, sociologist and psychologists.

From the Paper
"The socio-biological perspective considers that behaviour which pre-disposes people to act in a pro-social way is inherited. Whilst the Darwinian view of survival is concerned with the strengthening of physical attributes, socio-biologists take this further by claiming that behaviour is also inherited. Wilson (1975) argues that it is not just physical characteristics, which evolve but also behaviour. This behaviour generates a genetic instruction, which attempts to preserve their offspring, and relatives who share their genetic make up, (Haralambos 1995). Based on this perspective relatives have more chances of survival. "

Tags:behaviour, helping, heroic, sacificing

Abstract
This paper attempts to define maternal altruism and in particular, the role of the grandmother. After a female primate loses the biological ability to reproduce, she takes on the self-sacrificing role of "grandmother," bringing food, protection, and acting in all of the other maternal roles to bolster the chances of her kin's survival, without the direct connection of childbirth. The paper discusses how mothers need to undergo biological processes as well as environmental protection in order to become that ideal mother and how the process of becoming a mother, is not all nature or all nurture. The paper concludes that grandmothers are the stand-ins, giving care to mothers and children, and acting with maternal altruism until the genetic "inspiration" activates within the mother herself.

From the Paper
"There are still cultures where age-related euthanasia is practiced, and the infertile females need to combat this danger in primate and human cultures alike. In the Ache culture, there are "societally sanctioned specialist[s] in eliminating old women deemed no longer useful" (282). In order to oppose this social practice of dolling out death among elderly females, Hrdy explains that they must pass three obstacles, which would allow them to flourish in their society: "First, there must be donative intent toward kin. Next, there must be something beneficial an old female can do for kin, like protecting or provisioning them. Finally, the cost of having an old female around must be offset" (278). Data gathered regarding the subject of benefits of grandmothers among their kin have yielded mixed results for a wide array of species. "

Tags:Hamilton's, Rule, mother

Abstract
This paper defines altruism and connects it to domestic violence as embodying its direct opposite, selfishness. The writer describes the destructive effects of domestic violence on society with regard to the victim, the perpetrator, and the rest of society, and on an individual level on family structure, emotions, and finances. An explanation follows of the social exchange theory, which focuses on how to change the behavior of the individual in a way that helps the giver and the receiver understand the positive effects of altruism. The writer explains how, on a concrete level, shelters provide and instill trustworthiness in victims in a manner that teaches altruism and trustworthiness through internal and external rewards. For the abused individual, trust may develop, but time and edification are the key factors in learning to trust, or in the long term, in becoming altruistic.

Outline:
Nature and History of Domestic Violence
The Impact Domestic Violence Has on Society
Victims of Abuse
Monetary and Non-Monetary Losses
Altruism and Persuasion Elements
Social Exchange Theory
Trustworthiness
Similarities
Implications of Strategy
Conclusion

From the Paper
"The effects of domestic violence are damaging to victims though most of the time the warning signs of abuse are not immediately obvious. Victims find it difficult to admit to others that violence is happening so abuse can go unnoticed for long periods. Many victims are ashamed so the abuse can be a constant terrorizing factor in a family or between household members. The abused person is often isolated and generally the victim does not report abuse so communities will often fail to recognize domestic violence or its warning signs. Domestic violence has no socioeconomic boundaries so the impact on society is sometimes vague and misunderstood because values and standards are so obscure many families will fall victim to abusers. This societal perspective may explain the lack of public attention to problems of domestic violence."

Tags:selflessness terrorizing, emotional disturbance, psychological empathy reciprocity relationship, abusive behavior

Abstract
This paper discusses and assesses whether there is a relationship between gender and altruism. The paper defines altruism and discusses the results of a survey conducted to determine if any differences exist between males and females tendency to perform altruistic acts. It concludes that independent t-test results from the data showed that generally, there is no established significant relationship between gender of the individual and his/her propensity to commit acts of altruism.

From the Paper
"The feeling of being "at one with the other" is an important concept that must be taken into consideration in understanding altruism. What the findings showed is that altruism is best assessed not by the degree of help that one gives to the other, nor the feeling of empathy that is generated from the situation or scenario presented. The concept of oneness is found to be significant with the assessment of altruistic behavior (Maner et. al., 2002:1605). In the scenarios mentioned earlier, which yielded the highest and lowest mean score responses from both male and female respondents, the feeling of "oneness" is evident in the car scenarios, since all respondents felt positively and negatively for the "jumpstart" and "flat tire" scenarios, respectively."

Tags:assistance, response, scenario

Abstract
Discusses Durkheim's view of obligatory altruistic suicide. Concept that society is more important than the worth of any individual. Rejection by Durkheim of suicide that appeals to subjective mental states. The Al Quaeda terrorist actions and its concept of "dying for Allah." Arguments that the Al Quaeda attack on the United States was not a holy war as stated in the Koran.

From the Paper
"Durkheim, Suicide and Sept. 11, 2001

Theory
Emile Durkheim was a sociologist who tried to measure such abstract concepts as religion and suicide in society. "Collective tendencies have an existence of their own; they are forces as real as cosmic forces, though of another sort; they, likewise, affect the individual from without"(Thompson, 1982, 109). To Durkheim, suicide was a term applied to all cases of death resulting directly or indirectly from a positive or negative act of the victim himself, which he knows will produce this result"(Thompson, 1982, 110).

Durkheim divided the suicidal act into several categories. One of the classes that he considers, and that has a stunning importance following the events of Sept. 11, 2001, is that ..."

Abstract
This paper explains that the American colonization of the Philippines gave the U.S. an Asian territory of military and social importance, similar to the imperialistic tradition of major European countries. The author points out that the acquisition of the Philippines was met with strong opposition by Filipinos charging the U.S. of imperialism; but the considerable value it brought to Philippine politics, the economy, and the social welfare of its people have, in some ways, justified the U.S. struggle for possession. Today, Filipino's have successful educational, communication, transportation, agricultural, and political systems and actively engage in the Asian markets; the U.S. presence, whether altruistic or imperialistic, did have a positive impact on the overall welfare of the Philippine nation.

From the Paper
"The treaty went before the U.S. Senate for annexation, but met with opposition from factors opposed to imperialism of the Philippines. The opposition, which included former President Grover Cleveland and writer Mark Twain, reasoned that the annexation was inconsistent with the Teller Amendment, which opposed the annexation of Cuba and other Spanish colonies. Also, it was discussed that the Filipino resistance to an American presence demonstrated an act of imperialism on the part of the U.S. in forcing rule. Those who favored the annexation of the Philippines saw the opportunity as a means to bring Christianity to the Filipinos, prevent Germany's annexation of the colony, and provide a stronghold for the U.S. in the Asian markets."

Tags:war, women, annexation, imperialism, value

Abstract
This paper discusses Emile Durkheim's belief that an individual tends to decide and act, not according to social restraint, but for the satisfaction of his or her own needs, with little thought or regard for the consequences on others. The paper examines Durkheim's study of suicide and explains the three types of suicide that he identified: egoistic, anomic and altruistic.

From the Paper
"Emile Durkheim was primarily interested in how societies could remain coherent and integrated in present times when shared religious and ethnic background can no longer be relied on (Wikipedia 2005). Along with Herbert Spencer, he set the first scientific approaches to social phenomena that focused on social facts, instead of individual motivation. Durkheim suggested that social phenomena existed apart, independently and more objectively of individual actions and that these phenomena could be explained by other social facts other than society's, for example, climatic or ecological adaptation. This belief later came to be known as functionalism (Wikipedi)."

Tags:egoistic, anomic, altruistic

Abstract
This paper explains that reciprocal altruism is a feature of socialization based on a system of reward and punishment. The author points out that reciprocal altruism appears to be an adaptive human behavior because it occurs in situations far beyond kinship and even in situations that do not result in an immediate reward for the altruistic act. The paper relates that altruism can be evaluated in terms of a cost-benefit analysis in that the altruistic act is a risk with potential or actual costs, which are weighted against the benefits of the altruistic act both for the recipient and the actor.

From the Paper
"Reciprocal altruism can be conveniently framed in terms of game theory and the "Prisoner's Dilemma". The "Prisoner's Dilemma" accounts for the obvious complexity involved in the evolution and development of cooperative behavior in human societies. Participants base their decisions to cooperate on selfish motives, a "tit for tat system". However, participants know that cooperation may result in benefits greater than the costs involved. An investment metaphor also works: individuals invest in altruism to the extent they can bank on receiving returns."

Tags:cooperation, survivalism, reward, punishment, cost-benefit

Abstract
This literary study analyzes the short story "A Simple Heart" by Gustave Flaubert. The paper explains that, by providing an analysis of the intellectual, emotional and character-based reactions of the protagonist Felicity's character, one can realize the depth of Flaubert's desire to present the altruistic nature of human relationships. The author points out that Flaubert projects an emotional, yet intellectually illogical character that is too altruistic to be considered non-fiction. The paper relates that Flaubert provides the tragic emotion of selflessness in a concise manner, as Felicity soon learns that her lover Theodore, had married a rich woman to avoid being conscripted into the army. The author underscores that Felicity's behaviors are far more fictional than non-fictional.

From the Paper
"On a personal level, I have also experienced rejection of this type. I can certainly relate to feeling rejected by a person that is acting selfishly. This is an important part of the story, as Felicity simply goes on to another part of her life as a person that is constantly being used by deviant persons for their own self-interests. In this manner, I cannot relate to Felicity, since I would have learned to be more wary of trusting others that may potentially cause harm."

Tags:character, trusting, illogical, fictional, description

Abstract
This paper presents an examination of the phenomenon of "altruism" among humans and animals. Altruism is defined as behavior by an organism that may be to its disadvantage but is to the advantage of others of its kind. The question of why organisms behave in this manner is the focus of this paper. Various research works in this field are detailed, shedding light on why altruistic behavior is manifested in the animal kingdom and why altruistic behavior is undertaken intentionally in the human world.

From the Paper
"The subject has been much studied to ascertain why animals and humans alike behave in an altruistic fashion, given the selfish power of the genetic predisposition toward self-protection. Research has been conducted to identify behaviors which might be considered altruistic and then to determine whether they are truly altruistic or instead offer some benefit to the organism that may not be readily apparent. Different ethical theories involve differing procedures, implications, and justifications for solving moral dilemmas. A moral dilemma occurs when an individual has to face a choice between two different ethical solutions, solutions that are contradictory. Our society depends on a sense of morality as part of the normative structure of the citizenry, and the normative structure is what we accept as a minimum of shared understanding of what is moral, serving thus as a guide to our behavior and to our judgment about the behavior of others. A moral dilemma tests our definitions and our resolve to find ways of balancing competing interests. Altruistic behavior in some ways challenges this structure by being behavior without evident reward, though it may be an example of a normative behavior. Some theorists consider altruism as having a genetic basis, while others see it as a social construct and as a norm imposed by society. Still others consider the psychological implications for such behavior seek reasons for altruistic behavior in human psychology."

Tags:animal, human, behavior, psychology, social, research, selfishness, genetic, natural, element