altruism

American  

[al-troo-iz-uhm] / ˈæl truˌɪz əm /

noun

1. the principle or practice of unselfish concern for or devotion to the welfare of others (egoism ).

2. Animal Behavior. behavior by an animal that may be to its disadvantage but that benefits others of its kind, as a warning cry that reveals the location of the caller to a predator.

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altruism British  

/ ˈæltruːˌɪzəm /

noun

1. the principle or practice of unselfish concern for the welfare of others

2. the philosophical doctrine that right action is that which produces the greatest benefit to others

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altruism Scientific  

/ ăl′tro̅o̅-ĭz′əm /

1. Instinctive behavior that is detrimental or without reproductive benefit to the individual but that favors the survival or spread of that individual's genes. The willingness of a subordinate member of a wolf pack to forgo mating and help care for the dominant pair's pups is an example of altruistic behavior. While the individual may not reproduce, or may reproduce less often, its behavior helps ensure that a close relative does successfully reproduce, thus passing on a large share of the altruistic individual's genetic material.

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altruism Cultural  

1. A selfless concern for others.

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Other Word Forms

• altruist noun
• altruistic adjective
• altruistically adverb
• hyperaltruism noun

Etymology

Origin of altruism

First recorded in 1850–55; from French altruisme, equivalent to autru(i) “others” (with -ui from Latin cui “to whom”; -l- restored from Latin alter “other”) + -isme -ism ( def. ); popularized through translation of A. Comte, who perhaps coined it, on the model of égoisme egoism ( def. )

Example Sentences

Identifying this selfless decision brain activity, in multiple people, strongly suggests that altruism is hardwired in our brains; that it evolved to make us take care of others.

From BBC

In 2010, while at Oxford, she met William Crouch, who was helping to build the effective altruism movement, which tries to apply logic and reason to find the best way to help others.

From The Wall Street Journal

It’s used to describe when a community is bound by a crisis, and during this time, it can lead to extreme acts of altruism and kindness that aren’t usually seen in non-crisis times.

From Salon

The series, which has broken Apple TV audience records previously held by “Severance,” raises philosophical questions about the nature of happiness, altruism and personal freedom.

From The Wall Street Journal

"At the end of the day, given certain circumstances and under certain pressures, altruism will thin and self-interest surfaces."

From BBC

Related Words

• benevolence
• humanitarianism
• kindness
• selflessness