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. "
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."
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)."
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."
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."
Abstract This paper describes "Born To Be Good?" by Celia Kitynger, examining the key role of social context in determining altruistic or moral behavior. The writer explains that social context may be the most significant factor in moral behavior, but most likely it is a combination of empathy, cognition, and social context that causes people to act altruistically.
From the Paper "In her article "Born To Be Good"? Celia Kitynger examines the "key role of social context" in determining altruistic or moral behavior. Citing numerous journal articles that support or refute her beliefs, Kitynger concludes that "people are fundamentally pro-social beings, whose ability to act on altruistic impulses and moral principles is sometimes inhibited" by social pressures. Kitynger's article accurately portrays the ambiguity of altruism and the author presents a balanced point of view. First describing the everyday kindnesses we all witness or participate in and moving onto broader and bigger acts of altruism, Kitynger debunks assumptions about the self-serving nature of moral behavior. "
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."
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."
This paper examines the article entitled "The Significance of Affirmative Action for the Souls of White Folk: Further Implications of a Helping Model" by the authors Anthony R. Prakanis and Marlene E. Turner.
Abstract The paper explores the effects of racism on racists, through the analysis of the article "The Significance of Affirmative Action for the Souls of White Folk: Further Implications of a Helping Model," by the authors Prakanis and Turner. The paper intelligently investigates the psychological concept of "democratic altruism". It views democratically altruistic individuals have a sense of social responsibility, a sense of emotional empathy, and a sense of being included in their society. The paper layouts out the goals of affirmative action as a fundamental principle of American society in countering the lingering perceptions of racial inferiority in the American mindset.
From the Paper "In their article entitled ?The Significance of Affirmative Action for the Souls of White Folk: Further Implications of a Helping Model,? the authors Anthony R. Prakanis and Marlene E. Turner discuss a psychological concept referred to as ?democratic altruism.? The authors examine the effects of racism on racists. They examine how the concept of "democratic altruism" can be healing to both the perpetrators and the victims of racism, and can be healing to society as a whole. They then go on to explain how why Affirmative Action, often looked at as only benefiting minorities, can also be of aid to the whole of society."
Abstract This paper is a critical and historiographical examination of the nature of warfare and the natures of the men who wage it. It analyzes the fundamental moral prohibitions against warfare and violence and the circumstances and situations in which the human responses of sympathy and morality can be broken down. It looks at how philosophers and scholars have long debated the fundamental tenets of human nature and how some, including Thomas Hobbes, argue that man is naturally barbaric and that social constraints are necessary to restrain these violent tendencies. Others, such as Immanuel Kant, contend that man is inherently benevolent and that the group dynamics of society should seek to harness these altruistic forces.
From the Paper "However, certain factors can overwhelm and neutralize these moral responses, thereby effecting a fundamental transformation of the people involved in the acts of violence. War often results from the manifestation of the destructive, cruel, and violent tendencies that coexist within all humans along with the restraining forces of sympathy, compassion, and respect. Glover maintains that the moral resources typically restrain the savage impulses of humankind, but when these moral resources collapse in the midst of war, barbarism and cruelty rise to the foreground. In his descriptions of various instances of torture and cruelty in times of war, Glover makes a compelling case for the perverse appeal of such cruelty for many people, particularly emotionally stunted males seeking to buoy their self-confidence through the assertion of their power over weaker creatures."
Tags: nature, violence, nazis, stalin, conflict, society
Abstract This story will seek to reveal the the life of Archbishop Oscar Romero in Romero: A Life by James Brockman. By evaluting the life of Romero, we can see a devoted and altruistic manner of love he held for his people.
Abstract Beginning with clear definitions of several moral theories, this essay attempts to demonstrate a clear understanding of divine will, utilitarianism, ethical egoism, categorical imperative, and rationalism, while discussing the major proponents, key elements, and limitations of each.
From the Paper "The concept of divine will is of itself one of the most ancient ideas of moral philosophy. The concept itself is simply the will of God and yet many theologians and philosophers have debated the interplay of the will of God with the divine gift of free will of man. Questions about man's knowledge of the divine will as well as just how divine will is expressed within the world of man are often heated and possibly unanswerable questions, yet many have tried."
Abstract This paper examines the conflict facing the nursing profession, how to provide altruistic care to a world that doesn?t encourage caring. Recent decades have seen a push for nursing to become more professional in its dealings with clients, as opposed to developing any personal rapport.
From the Paper "This same historical commonality with women has allowed nursing to develop a unique identity all its own within the world of health care. This identity stems from nursing's unique perspective within the care structure. Whereas doctors can afford a greater detachment and distance from their patients, nurses often must learn to meet the needs of their patients as individuals. Therefore, it can be seen that the aforementioned push for professionalism would actually rob the discipline of nursing with one of its main assets: close contact with the patients."
Abstract The organization and functioning of human and animal societies has long been the subject of intense investigations by natural scientists, sociologists, and geneticists. Darwin, who laid the foundation for a modern theory of evolution, suggested "kin selection" as an explanation for the existence of sterile females, the worker caste, in social insects like ants, bees, and termites. This paper examines a later theory presented by W.D. Hamilton, who mathematically perceived his 'Theory of Kin Selection', showing it as a mechanism for the evolution of such apparently altruistic sterile castes.
From the Paper "Like any other genetic trait, altruism will evolve only if it is passed on from generation to generation in a proportion greater than alternative alleles for non-altruism. Hamilton has described the conditions under which an allele for altruism will have higher frequency of occurrence and, therefore, evolve. He states these conditions in a formula: br ? c > 0 or b x r > c where b, stands for "benefit", and refers to the enhanced reproductive benefit gained by recipient of altruism; r refers to the chance that the aided individual carries the same gene for altruism; c stands for "cost", to the altruist in terms of the number of offspring the altruist could have had if it had not been an altruist. Hamilton's formula leads to the concept that in a randomly mating and out breeding diploid population, an individual should sacrifice itself in order to save? two siblings, four nephews or eight cousins? since siblings share 50% of the individual's genes, nephews 25% and cousins 12.5%."
