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 (opposed to 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. )

Explanation

If you see a stranger getting beaten up on the playground and you rush in to rescue them, you have done something unselfish to help another person, otherwise known as an act of altruism. Use the noun altruism to refer to feelings or actions that show an unselfish concern for other people. In science, altruism refers to animal behavior that could be harmful to the animal itself but that contributes to the survival of the animal group. It's related to the adjective altruistic. Someone known for their altruism is an altruist.

Example Sentences

"Altruism is something that really interests me so I wanted to try it."

From BBC • Jan. 1, 2023

The Centre for Effective Altruism, of which MacAskill is the chair, says it’s devoted to “using evidence and reason to figure out how to benefit others as much as possible.”

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 21, 2022

The Centre for Effective Altruism and FTX Future Fund both launched contests in the past year encouraging compelling criticisms of EA ideas.

From Slate • Nov. 18, 2022

The second-largest grant, in the amount of $13.9 million, went to the Center for Effective Altruism.

From New York Times • Nov. 13, 2022

As a matter of fact Altruism, as it has been called, is a very different thing from charity in its effect upon the doer.

From Religion And Health by Walsh, James J. (James Joseph)

Related Words

• benevolence
• humanitarianism
• kindness
• selflessness