Philosophy of Altruism: A Critical Analysis

Abstract

The thesis looks at the notion of altruism which is the idea of selfless concern or action for the wellbeing of others. Although debates surrounding altruism remain largely unidirectional, with egoism being the main challenger for altruism across the other side of the field, this thesis attempts to bring out a multi-dimensional understanding of the whole spectrum, particularly emphasizing the diverse way in which we can view altruism or altruistic actions, and work towards better promotion of this benevolent action. After exploring the various nuances preserved in the dichotomy between selfless giving and selfish taking, this thesis will argue for the promotion of the idea of altruism. In order to do so three perspectives will be employed: i) Pragmatic/Naturalistic Perspective - which shows that when the historical and sociological factors of our human society are studied, altruism is naturally recommended over egoism. This recommendation serves many crucial purposes, from holding a family together to holding a larger group such as a village. ii) Applied Ethical Perspective - will attempt to prove if egoism can be argued against as a mistaken doctrine with the help of the explication of the qualities that organ donors seem to possess. This perspective will also explore other instances of altruistic behaviors to show that egoism can be refuted on an applied level. Lastly, to diversify the critique that can be generated against egoism, and to delve into the distinctive notion of ‘passive altruism’, the thesis will also explore the spiritual lineage of our identity/ego from a Vedantic notion called ‘jivanmukti’. Hence, the research intends to contribute to an understanding of practical and normative ethics from a selfless and prosocial point of contemplation.