Definition

1. Noun:
   • The quality of unselfish concern for the welfare of others: Altruism refers to the principle or practice of selfless concern for the well-being of other people, often involving personal sacrifice.

Usage

• Altruism is used to describe a moral principle or a character trait.
• It is often discussed in contexts of ethics, philosophy, psychology, and sociology.
• It contrasts with selfishness or egoism.

Examples

• Noun:
  • Her lifelong dedication to helping the homeless was a true example of altruism.
  • The scientist was motivated by pure altruism, not by a desire for fame or profit.
  • Acts of altruism, like donating to charity, can strengthen community bonds.

Advanced Usage

• "Biological altruism": In evolutionary biology, this refers to behavior by an organism that increases the fitness of another organism while decreasing its own.
  • The theory of kin selection attempts to explain biological altruism among related individuals.
• "Effective altruism": A philosophy and social movement that uses evidence and reason to determine the most effective ways to benefit others.
  • He follows the principles of effective altruism, carefully researching which charities do the most good per dollar donated.

Variants and Related Words

• Altruist (n): A person who has an unselfish concern for the welfare of others.
  • She was known as a great altruist who devoted her life to humanitarian causes.
• Altruistic (adj): Showing a selfless concern for the well-being of others; unselfish.
  • His decision to donate his kidney was an incredibly altruistic act.

Synonyms

• Selflessness: The quality of caring more about the needs of others than about one's own.
• Benevolence: The quality of being well-meaning; kindness.
• Philanthropy: The desire to promote the welfare of others, typically expressed by the generous donation of money to good causes. (Note: This often implies large-scale, organized giving.)

Antonyms

• Selfishness: The quality of being concerned chiefly with one's own personal profit or pleasure.
• Egoism: An ethical theory that treats self-interest as the foundation of morality.
• Greed: Intense and selfish desire for something, especially wealth or power.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• "A labor of love": Work done for the pleasure of it or for the benefit of a loved one, often without pay. This can be an expression of altruism.
  • Volunteering at the animal shelter isn't a job for her; it's a labor of love.
• "To give of oneself": To devote one's time and energy generously for the benefit of others.
  • True leaders are those who give of themselves for the good of the team.

Noun

1. the quality of unselfish concern for the welfare of others