Altruism Flashcards
BEACH
Beliefs
Expectations
Assumptions
Hopes
What is altruism
In addition to being the founder of “positivism”, the word “altruism” (French, altruisme, from autrui: “other people”, derived from Latin alter: “other”) was coined by the Father of Sociology, Auguste Comte, in order to describe the ethical doctrine he supported. He believed that individuals had a moral obligation to renounce self-interest and live for others. Comte says, in his Catechisme Positiviste [1], that:
“ [This [“to live for others”], the definitive formula of human morality, gives a direct sanction exclusively to our instincts of benevolence, the common source of happiness and duty. [Man must serve] Humanity, whose we are entirely.”Altruism” is an ethical doctrine that holds that individuals have a moral obligation to help, serve, or benefit others, if necessary at the sacrifice of self interest. Auguste Comte‘s version of altruism calls for living for the sake of others. One who holds to either of these ethics is known as an “altruist
Ageism
The discrimination of an individual based on their age. It can include any age across the lifespan but is more commonly associated with the young and the old.
