altruism

[al-troo-iz-uh m] /ˈæl truˌɪz əm/
noun
1.
the principle or practice of unselfish concern for or devotion to the welfare of others (opposed to egoism).
2.
Animal Behavior. behavior by an animal that may be to its disadvantage but that benefits others of its kind, as a warning cry that reveals the location of the caller to a predator.
Origin of altruism
1850-55; < French altruisme, equivalent to autru(i) others (< Vulgar Latin *alterui, oblique form of Latin alter other (> French autre), with -ui from cui to whom; -l- restored from Latin alter) + -isme -ism; popularized through translation of A. Comte, who perhaps coined it, on the model of égoisme egoism
Related forms
hyperaltruism, noun
Examples from the web for altruism
  • We must combine it with some degree of altruism, some concern for our fellow human beings based on the principle of reciprocity.
  • In his view, these sites were full of untapped potential for altruism.
  • Animals show altruism toward strangers.
  • This is altruism towards strangers, for example, charity.
  • The evolutionary roots of altruism are complex.
  • Computer models show that altruism couldn't evolve without war also becoming entrenched and vice versa.
  • If everyone abandons all altruism and structured kindness in society, and only considers themselves, the result is chaos.
  • Our concern with human rights is not just altruism — in the long run, it is essential to our national security.
  • Our corporate laws, for better or worse, do not reward altruism.
  • It wasn't selfless altruism, of course; it was farsighted, enlightened self-interest.
British Dictionary definitions for altruism

altruism

/ˈæltruːˌɪzəm/
noun
1.
the principle or practice of unselfish concern for the welfare of others
2.
the philosophical doctrine that right action is that which produces the greatest benefit to others
Compare egoism See also utilitarianism
Derived Forms
altruist, noun
altruistic, adjective
altruistically, adverb
Word Origin
C19: from French altruisme, from Italian altrui others, from Latin alterī, plural of alter other
Word Origin and History for altruism
n .

1853, "unselfishness, opposite of egoism," from French altruisme, coined or popularized 1830 by French philosopher Auguste Comte (1798-1857), from autrui, from Old French altrui, "of or to others," from Latin alteri, dative of alter "other" (see alter). Apparently suggested to Comte by French legal phrase l'autrui, or in full, le bien, le droit d'autrui. The -l- is perhaps a reinsertion from the Latin word.

There is a fable that when the badger had been stung all over by bees, a bear consoled him by a rhapsodic account of how he himself had just breakfasted on their honey. The badger replied peevishly, "The stings are in my flesh, and the sweetness is on your muzzle." The bear, it is said, was surprised at the badger's want of altruism. ["George Eliot," "Theophrastus Such," 1879]

altruism in Science
altruism
  (āl'tr-ĭz'əm)   
Instinctive cooperative behavior that is detrimental or without reproductive benefit to the individual but that contributes to the survival of the group to which the individual belongs. The willingness of a subordinate member of a wolf pack to forgo mating and help care for the dominant pair's pups is an example of altruistic behavior. While the individual may not reproduce, or may reproduce less often, its behavior helps ensure that a close relative does successfully reproduce, thus passing on a large share of the altruistic individual's genetic material.
altruism in Culture
altruism [(al-trooh-iz-uhm)]

A selfless concern for others.