altruism

In biology, helping another individual of the same species to reproduce more effectively, as a direct result of which the altruist may leave fewer offspring itself. Female honey bees (workers) behave altruistically by rearing sisters in order to help their mother, the queen bee, reproduce, and forgo any possibility of reproducing themselves.

altruism

Term coined by the French positivist philosopher Auguste Comte, briefly defined as ‘living for others’. The altruistic instinct is a social instinct or impulse, and is evidenced in kindness, veneration, and affection.

It was this instinct or tendency in human beings that Comte wished to raise to a conscious principle, or an ethical ideal, making it the chief aim of human action to seek the welfare of others. Herbert Spencer in his Data of Ethics 1879 sought to show that in the course of social evolution egoism and altruism would be reconciled.

Altruism is not the exclusive possession of humanity, but is seen among some other animals, for example wolves and some insects.