Altruism - Is There Such a Thing, Really?

Photo by Matt Collamer 

I wrote this when I went back to college after my divorce several years ago, when feeling many different kinds of emotions about life at that time than I feel today, but this seems to make sense to me even now.

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First of all, what is altruism? I have always understood it to mean that it is the practice of selfless or disinterested concern for the well-being of others or doing something for someone ‘just because.’

And so I ask: is there really such a thing as altruism, or more to the point, is there really such as thing as an altruistic person?

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Even though I have always considered myself an eternal optimist and idealist, I don’t believe there is such a thing as altruism or an altruistic person in today’s society. There was a time, perhaps, when altruism was thought to be commonplace, even expected, but even then, I doubt its legitimacy and truth.

Even though there may not have been as much competition or so much to gain back then, yet even the most noble priests, bishops, and nuns, for example, did, and still do, what they did or do for internal reasons, such as obtaining a hopeful seat on the heavenly council, a Cardinalship, or whatever position down the line. Also, even helping make another’s life a bit happier from good deeds done would make the doer feel happy and fulfilled, which seems that there is always a ‘bottom line’ for reasons other than a selfless ‘just because’.

(These are my own suppositions from a possible streak of skepticism within me at one’s motives and true goodness, please know.)

Photo by Jem Sahagun

I do believe that all people are inherently good, yet some people have just had other things (or people) overshadow that goodness. But, to do something for others for a reason that is absolutely unselfish, with not one single milometer of any kind of personal gain — like thoughts of entering the Pearly Gates, getting that promotion, garnering extra cash or reward, a favor to collect later, or making a good impression — is nonexistent. There’s always some kind of self-gratification involved, no matter how small, which would be a personal gain and would flush true altruism right down the toilet.

I don’t think that we as human beings can be truly altruistic because we are not perfect. We’d have to be emotionless robots to do for others without any thoughts of gain in some small (or large) way for ourselves. And even those robots would expect a squirt of oil (or tune-up) in return.

I, personally, don’t think I would want something done for me from someone truly altruistic (if one actually existed), as it would take away from the personal side of it having been done.

I would want something done for me if it helped them, too. That way it would make two people happy instead of just one.