Altruism vs. Self-interest

If we are absent-mindedly doing something, and it benefits another, can that be altruism?

Could we possibly do something and know that we do not really benefit from that action, but choose to do it anyway?

If you’re a doctor and as part of your job, you’re supposed to aid people in their conditions or “save lives”...is that altruistic?

What is the point of investigating the means behind determining what defines altruism?

If altruism exists in our society, does this teach us about where we lack selfishness?

Views:

1. Joey was acting out of altruistic intentions because he had no way of knowing about the future personal benefits his actions would bring in the moment of the act

2. According to the theory of self-interest, Joey could not have been acting any way that was not selfish (he could have wanted to achieve a moral victory and gain satisfaction from that)

3. Definitions of altruism and its counterpart are very important bases in deciding whether the act is one or the other, or somewhere in between

Other Real Life Situations

- Mother’s love for her child

- Heroes and martyrs

- Leaving a tip at a restaurant that you probably won't return to

- Costco's support for a raise in the minimum wage

Other Knowledge Questions

Back to Joey

Altruism vs. Self-interest

Can we redefine the criteria for what is considered altruistic? Here are the alternatives we thought of:

Altruistic motives: Compulsion to act lacks self-interest

Selfish motives: Compulsion to act stems from self-interest

Pro-Social Behaviour

Pro-social behaviour is "voluntary behaviour intended to benefit others", regardless of whether the motivation is out of empathy and concern for others, or out of egotistic and practical desires

Where can we begin to derive the bases for distinguishing altruism and self-interest from a particular benevolent act?

- The intent of the doer is all that matters (but then, how does one determine the intent?)

- As the long as the benefits to others are exceeded by the benefits to ourselves, even by a bit, then altruism exists

- If the benefit to ourselves is negligible (like in the case of a martyr), then the act can be considered altruistic

- Perspective of the benefactor decides whether the act is altruistic or not

Altruism

Self-Interest

Knowledge Question:

On what basis can one determine whether a benevolent act is done because of altruistic motives or simply out of self-interest?

Dictionary definition: The principle or practice of unselfish concern for or devotion to the welfare of others

Dictionary definitions:

1. One's personal interest or advantage;

2. The act or an instance of pursuing one's own interest

TOK Concepts and Ideas

Self-Interest Theory Arguments

Real Life Situation

Joey Prusak, a 19-year-old employee, works at a Dairy Queen (DQ) in Minnesota. One day, he saw a visually impaired customer drop $20. The woman behind him snatched up the bill, but instead of handing it back to him, she put it into her purse. Seeing this, Joey refused to serve the woman and politely told her to leave the store. Joey then repaid the visually impaired man the $20 from his own pocket. Another customer who witnessed this wrote to DQ, praising Joey for being a good role model. Now, customers are leaving large tips, Joey is being offered new jobs, traffic at the store has doubled, and DQ is thinking up a reward for Joey.

Self Interest Theory

Duty Ethics

Utilitarianism

The Role of Motives

Definitional Argument

Evolutionary Argument

Hidden Benefits Argument

Fear of Punishment Argument

- The idea is to maximize happiness for the greatest number of people

- From the philosopher Aristotle

- Humans everywhere are selfish

- Even if we have objective moral values, we cannot live up to them

- From Immanuel Kant

- If an act can be generalized for the humanity in its entirety, then it is a duty

- Example: Everyone should keep their promises

- Also from Kant

- Three types of motives when you do something good:

1. You expect something in return

2. Out of sympathy

3. You feel a sense of duty

- Only motive #3 has any moral value

- Motives are determined by reason, not feelings

- You always do what you want to do, or you wouldn't do it; thus you are always selfish

- Criticism: If every act is selfish, then "selfish" loses its meaning

- Way of knowing: Language

- We act for the greater good to ensure more of our kin (genetic material) survives

- 2 brothers (50% each) = 8 cousins (12.5% each)

- Criticism: Much evidence suggests that empathy and altruism are also part of our natures

- Way of knowing: Reason (scientific reasoning)

- Fear of punishment keeps us in line, and thus we do good deeds to avoid it

- Criticisms: Not ALL behaviour is motivated by fear

- Ways of knowing: Emotion and reason

- People get various intangible benefits from a seemingly selfless act

- Criticisms: Situations exist where the benefactor cannot be expected to repay the favour; truly altruistic acts are reactionary

- Ways of knowing: Emotion and perception