Can humans be altruistic? Any examples with re: to my theory?

Question

My husband believes so. But, my theory; I think even the most selfless seeming act always has some reward for the actor. Which is the reason they did it. So, although seeming altruistic, isn't in the slightest. For example; saving someones life. If you had the opportunity to do so and didn't the guilt would be too much. So we would do it to save ourselves of guilt?? That's not altruistic, is it?

Answer 1

You have to be careful that your not just fitting the observations to your theory. We can all give an explanation 'after the event' but that does does not prove anything. I can choose to regard someones behaviour as altruistic if I want or I can choose to regard it as a means to their ends - if I want to! It doesn't prove anything. You've got to put your self in the piucture as the observer. As for scientific prove of your theory, I don't think it is in principle possible to test so I have to say that I don't know. But I 'choose' to think people are motivated to help each other; that this both fulfills an innate need for the social animal that we are to groom one another and to bond and, inseperably from this as members of a group we get something out of it. So to conclude I agree with you and your husband.

TY

Just in addition to what someone below has said: Richard Dawkins has argued that altruistic behaviour may hold some hidden rerward for the actor so the gene that engendered that behaviour may well be selfish. That, however, does not necessarily entail the actor experiencing selfish instincts. He may well genuinely feel a sense of altruism when he engages in behaviour his genes through selective breeding have decided are better for him or his 'kind' (eg family, community, race, species).

Answer 2

There will always be some reward in doing good: to avoid feeling guilty or ashamed, self satisfaction, to ease the feelings of guilt relating to past events in our lives. There are times though, where selfless acts are carried out in emergencies & the person hasn't had time to think about rewards or consequences.
But lets not knock good deeds just because they are not truly altruistic. Having a social conscience, moral duties & charity is what entitles us to be considered as civilised.

Answer 3

You really should read the book "The Selfish Gene" by Richard Dawkins, or maybe just check out the write-up about it on wikipedia. I'd say its at a college upper-class level, and parts of it are really dry.

Dawkins argues fairly convicingly that most seemingly altruistic behaviors have a benefit for the person doing it. He also explains how he thinks this works at a genetic level, but that's too complex to try to explain here.

One example he sights as an altruistic behavior that he can't "bust" (that's my word, not his): donating blood. (and he means a non-directed donation. Donating to help a relative, for instance, clearly offers a benefit for the donor/actor.)

Answer 4

I don't think the prospect of future guilt enters a person's mind when he/she is saving a life. That doesn't mean that the act is purely altruistic. It may just feel better to have power over life and death. I do think there is a measure of altruism built into us, otherwise why feel guilty over letting a person die? Other people, except close family and potential mates are simply competition or weaklings who will hold the "herd" back. That's just my opinion though, not proof.

Answer 5

I don't agree with you. I'v often see people go out of their way to help others. Think of those that offer to help you when you're stranded by the side of the road. You don't always have time to work out the guilt factor before you do something.
I think our society sneers at "do-gooders" and so make many people self-conscious and adopt a cynical outlook.
There are good people in the world.

Answer 6

The last time I was walking past some lame-oid who had his car stuck in the ice on the side of the road, I pushed him out while he sat behind the wheel. I thought about NOT helping him, but I figured, "Oh, what the hell," and did it anyway. I didn't expect any gold star for heroism, since it wasn't that important. My point is that people (who are NOT people persons - such as myself) do things for other people simply because. That's it. For no other reason. Because.

Answer 7

I just tend to be a do first and think after person when it comes to helping anyone, no matter who they are, sometimes I wish I hadn't bothered but you get over it.

Answer 8

altruism happens but it's rare