Doubting Altruism： Altruism or Self Interest

鮑凱琪

Introduction

Altruism， according to Merriam-Webster Dictionary， is defined as “unselfish regard for or devotion to the welfare of others”. The altruistic behaviors are never purely altruistic； instead， they always involve the profits of “the kind”. However， people still should take altruistic actions， thereby circumventing problems， enhancing self-images and receiving rewards.

Evidence of Altruism

Whats the common impression people have about vampire bats？ Often， the answer is that they are bloodthirsty and cruel. However， here is a shocking opposing piece of evidence. Vampire bats feed their companions， which will die if they starve for sixty hours， by regurgitating blood they sucked from the victims. Despite their notorious reputation， the vampire bats are in fact altruistic.

Like vampire bats， people seem to be always willing to dedicate to the welfare and well-being of their companions. In Zhejiang 2015， Shandong 2014， Xian 2012 Changsha 2011 and many other places at many other time， poor cleaners were reported toreturn falsely-thrown wallets to the owners （ZJWMW， Zhou， HSW， Fan）.When disasters happen， when wars take place， when water is contaminated， people want to help. The variety and abundance of evidence leads to the fascinating idea that altruism does exist. However， it opposes the economic theory that states peoplechoose to do things when they know the benefits exceed the costs， while altruistic actions by definition usually benefit others rather than themselves. The two theories contradict each other， and as the economic theory can explain peoples behaviors in so many cases， it is of high possibility that there is no pure altruism in reality.

Impure Altruism

A biologist J. B. S. Haldanes moral arithmetic presents that there is a selfish goal behind bats altruism： they want to feed their congeners toenable the most similar DNA to survive as long as possible. Also， some scientists suspect the cause is that the “virtuous” bats want other bats， especially those received their help before， return the favor on the days when they cannot find food.

Likewise， the reasons behind peoples so-called altruistic behaviors are also multiple. Here are a few： they want to complete a social requirement， elevate themselves and gain rewards. The altruistic behaviors are never purely altruistic； instead， they always involve the profits of “the kind”.

Advantages/Profits of being or appearing altruistic

Why do people bother to help others？ They do those altruistic things because of requirements， self-actualizing and enjoyment. Since a person was born， he or she has heard that he or she needs to be a good person repeatedly. The society enables the belief that people are immoral if they do not worry about the horrible situations where their compatriots are to take roots among the masses through education， ads and so on. That belief sets the social conscience， which forces everyone to appear altruistic even if they do not want to at first. Therefore， to avoid troubles that will definitely come if they do not fulfill the social requirement， people tend to be altruistic. Besides， it is certain that the benefit that will be brought about is not only the parry of the potential problems but also appreciation， promotion and so on.

People behave altruistically because they want to be better men associated with“friendly”， “kind”， “honest” etcetera. As mentioned above， they are exposed to a society that teaches them to do good things. They start to believe that those actions can enhance themselves over time. They create the images of who they want to be， better than current selves， and have faith that the best way to reach those people is to be morally good. Day by day， they use altruistic behaviors as bricks to build their ideal figures of themselves； when the work is finished， they will be so complacent to see their spiritual progresses.

In addition， helping others rewards people. According to interviews by Christian Toto， a 69-year-old Alexandria volunteer says “The main thing is that it keeps me active and meeting new people all the time. It's an eye on the world I wouldn't have otherwise” as a comment of volunteering. Mrs. Chester， another volunteer in Palisades says “I get as much as the people I help， if not more.” The process of helping others is not only giving but also harvesting.

Conclusion

Altruism does not exist； rather，the appealing consequences of the altruistic actions is the main factor that leads to altruism. Through those altruistic actions， people circumvent the problems that reverse actions against social requirement will bring， improve themselves， and gain something worthy in return. As there are so many advantages， people should all try to be altruistic， optimizing their interests， while offering light and warmth to the society.

References：

[1]Huashangbao.Cleaner Found a Wallet，Waited and returned in the Rain.Web.11 Sep.2014.

[2]Man Jumps Onto Subway Tracks，Saves The Life Of Complete Stranger.Web.Newyork.cbslocal.com.May 20，2012.

[3]Fan，Siding.Stolen Wallet，Cleaner Found and Returned.Web.12 Nov.2011.11：20.

[4]Vampire Bat 1.Photograph.Web.Wallpaper.SearchRealm.com.

[5]Zhejiangwenmingbao.Thumb Up！ Cleaner Returned Wallet to Owner.Web.16 March，2015.

[6]Zhou Zhiqi.Wallet and Trash thrown together，Honest Community Cleaner reaturned.Web.21 July 2014.