Exam 8: Altruism: Helping Others

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The three main theories of altruism are psychological egoism, biological altruism, and reciprocal altruism.

Psychological egoism suggests that all human actions are ultimately motivated by self-interest, even when they appear to be selfless. This theory argues that individuals only act in ways that benefit themselves, and any apparent acts of altruism are actually driven by the desire for personal gain or satisfaction.

Biological altruism, on the other hand, is based on the idea that individuals may act in ways that benefit others at a cost to themselves due to genetic relatedness. This theory suggests that individuals may be more likely to help those who share their genes, as it increases the likelihood of those genes being passed on to future generations.

Reciprocal altruism is based on the concept of cooperation and mutual benefit. This theory suggests that individuals may engage in altruistic behaviors with the expectation of receiving similar benefits in return at a later time. It is based on the idea that individuals can benefit from helping others, as it may lead to future assistance or cooperation.

When evaluating these theories, it is important to consider the evidence and arguments supporting each one. Psychological egoism may be supported by the observation that individuals often do act in ways that benefit themselves, but it fails to account for truly selfless acts of altruism. Biological altruism is supported by evidence of altruistic behaviors in animals and the concept of kin selection, but it may not fully explain all instances of altruism. Reciprocal altruism is supported by the idea of cooperation and mutual benefit, but it may not fully explain acts of altruism that do not involve an expectation of future reward.

In conclusion, each of these theories offers valuable insights into the motivations behind altruistic behaviors, but none of them provide a complete explanation on their own. It is likely that a combination of these theories, along with other factors such as cultural influences and individual differences, contribute to the complex nature of altruism.