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Article 8

If this is your first visit to this site please read the Glossary

Introduction
Before I begin the investigation into altruism I would like to clear up one point and make sure you know where I am 'coming from'. Unfortunately there are some academics who believe in evolutionary psychology (which in itself isn't bad at all) but they seem to be unable to stop themselves from looking at ALL activity as being rigidly directly connected to the above theory. I believe in evolution and to a lesser extent evolutionary psychology but when I attempt to understand a specific aspect of human behaviour I firstly just look and try to understand - not from any particular viewpoint, or any particular narrow rigid blinkered theoretical standpoint - firstly I just want to understand.

The aforementioned people tend to try and explain altruism in terms of evolution - that it somehow 'fits in to' the theory. I don't think it does. I don't think it is even necessary that it does. I don't think it is relevant at all. (Likewise I know that evolution is a fact but when it is raining I don't ask myself how the rain is connected to, or a result of, evolution - it ISN'T - it is just raining!). Or even when I go out to the kitchen and make myself a cup of coffee I never ever ever ever asked myself the question as to how my choice of coffee, rather than tea or water or milk, has any connection with evolution.

I am not even going to exactly define altruism - I will leave that to the sad academics - they have nothing better to do. For the record I will say that what I mean by altruism is 'purposely (consciously) doing a good deed for another individual, entity or object where there doesn't seem to be a reward for the person doing that good deed'.

As with some of the other articles on this site the truth is sometimes very straightforward - the difficulty is finding the correct 'angle' to view the topic and begin the investigation.

Awareness
You may consider that animals bringing up their young are acting altruistically - perhaps they are. If you have read any of the other articles on this site you will realise that I am not afraid to realise that perhaps we humans are not that much better than any other animals etc. I do not feel the need to be superior. So (but) for the present we will just look at human behaviour - that is when awareness is important and explains altruism simply.

I think that any investigation of altruism without 'awareness' taking the central role would be useless and would not arrive at any conclusion. if awareness was not involved it would merely be a natural 'reaction' to some event or situation - as it is, most likely, in terms of animal behaviour.

Human Altruism
I have, on several occasions, come across an insect drowning in some pool of water. On all occasions, if my memory serves me correctly, I used a twig or blade of grass to aid the insect and help it out of the water so that it wouldn't drown. I actually spent some of my 'precious' time on this earth to help another animal without any gain to myself. Does that make me wondeful? No!

Look at the situation in another way. Here I am minding my own business and then I come across an insect which is drowning. Because of my 'self awareness' and consciousness I know that the insect is drowning in the water. I also know that if I use a twig or blade of grass to life it out of the water I will 'save' it from immediate death. If I did nothing and let the insect die for no reason I would be a pathetic individual.

Being self-aware we know that death is an end of the life process. We are all going to die and yet we grab on to life with both hands and stay alive as long as possible. The insect may be eaten by a bird a few minutes after it has been retrieved from the water, and yet, to me, it would be worthwhile to take time to save it. I suppose you could say that it was the notion that the life of the insect had worth - not to me personally - but as an integral part of the nature of this planet. There was no logical reason why I wouldn't save the insect's life.

It is all a matter of perception. To some people, who are very self-centered, the universe revolves around them - everything outside their immediate self has little value. Then, spreading outwards, for others the immediate family and friends have value. Then one could consider either the nation or the tribal, or cultural, group as being valuable and important. In reality we could see all lifeforms on this earth as being 'fellow creatures', each having their own innate value.

There are some who would associate the leaving of the insect to die with a sense of their own power and superiority over the animal kingdom. Needless to say, that way of 'thinking' would not be classed as rational. To purposefully let a creature die does demonstrate the power to help others but does not demonstrate the intelligence of the person involved. Unless the insect was a seriously dangerous insect there would be no reason NOT to help it.

Altruism is rational - and natural: NOT because we are wonderful intelligent helpful creatures, but because we have self awareness.

Updated: 3rd October 2009