Altruism: the Power of Compassion

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Nicholas Weeks
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Joined: Mon Apr 06, 2009 4:21 am
Location: California

Altruism: the Power of Compassion

Post by Nicholas Weeks »

A long book and am only beginning to read it. Ricard aims at the non-religious, secular folk who like to have science's stamp of approval on everything. Without the notes it is about 700 pages, broken down into five sections:

1 - What is Altruism?
2 - The Emergence of Altruism.
3 - Cultivating Altruism.
4 - Contrary Forces.
5 - Building a More Altruistic Society.

The French edition came out in 2013, this English translation is from 2015.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22208239-altruism
May all seek, find & follow the Path of Buddhas.
Nicholas Weeks
Posts: 4209
Joined: Mon Apr 06, 2009 4:21 am
Location: California

Re: Altruism: the Power of Compassion

Post by Nicholas Weeks »

From beginning of chapter one:
Is altruism a motivation, a momentary state of mind that aims at accomplishing the good of others, or a
disposition to care for others in a benevolent way, pointing to a more lasting character trait? Definitions
abound and, sometimes, contradict each other. If we want to show that real altruism exists and help it
spread throughout society, it is necessary to clarify the meaning of this term.
The word “altruism,” derived from the Latin alter, “other,” was used for the first time in the nineteenth
century by Auguste Comte, one of the fathers of sociology and the founder of positivism. Altruism,
according to Comte, implies “the elimination of selfish desire and of egocentrism, as well as leading a
life devoted to the well-being of others.”
The American philosopher Thomas Nagel explains that altruism is “a willingness to act in
consideration of the interests of the other person, without the need of ulterior motive.” It is a rational
determination to act stemming from “the direct influence of one person’s interest on the actions of another,
simply because in itself the interest of the former provides the latter with a reason to act.”
Other thinkers, confident in the potential for benevolence present in humans, go further and, like the
American philosopher Stephen Post, define altruistic love as “unselfish delight in the well-being of
others, and engagement in acts of care and service on their behalf. Unlimited love extends this love to all
others without exception, in an enduring and constant way.” The agapē of Christianity is an unconditional
love for other human beings, while altruistic love and compassion in Buddhism, maitri and karuna,
extend to all sentient beings, humans and non-humans.
Some authors emphasize putting intentions into practice, while others think it is motivation that defines
altruism. The psychologist Daniel Batson, who has devoted his career to the study of altruism, points out
that “altruism is a motivational state with the ultimate goal of increasing another’s welfare.” He clearly
distinguishes altruism as ultimate goal (my explicit aim is to accomplish others’ welfare) from altruism as
means (I accomplish others’ welfare with a view to fulfilling my own well-being). In his eyes, for a
motivation to be altruistic, the well-being of others must constitute a goal in itself.
May all seek, find & follow the Path of Buddhas.
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tkp67
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Re: Altruism: the Power of Compassion

Post by tkp67 »

my own interpretation of "true" good and evil is that it is expressed as altruism and narcissism respectively
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