altruism

Meanings

• noun

  The practice of concern for the welfare of others; the unselfish regard for or devotion to the happiness of others.

  - "Her act of giving to charity is an example of altruism."
  - "Altruism is a key component of many religious and spiritual traditions."

• noun

  The theory that the evolution of the human race is assisted, or that the development of civilization is fostered, by unselfish actions of individuals, which are not motivated by a desire for personal gain.

  - "Some scientists believe that altruistic behaviors have evolved in humans as an adaptation to increase group cohesion and survival."
  - "The concept of altruism has been a subject of debate among philosophers and sociologists for centuries."

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Antonyms

egoism , misanthropy , selfishness

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Synonyms

philanthropy , philanthropy , selflessness

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Rhymes

Words rhyming with altruism
cruelty , infatuation , jubilation , ruthless

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Variants

List of all variants of altruism that leads to same result
altruism , altruisms

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Etymology

origin and the way in which meanings have changed throughout history.

From the Latin word 'altruismus', derived from 'alter', meaning 'other' + 'humanitas', meaning 'humanity'.

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Trivia

Any details, considerations, events or pieces of information regarding the word

1. Altruism is not exclusive to humans; it has been observed in various animal species as well.

2. There is a condition called 'altruistic personality disorder', which is characterized by an excessive concern for the welfare of others.

3. The term 'altruism' was first coined by the French philosopher Auguste Comte in the 19th century.

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Related Concepts

informations on related concepts or terms closely associated with the word. Discuss semantic fields or domains that the word belongs to

1. empathy: A feeling of compassion or concern for another person's suffering or struggle.

2. compassion: A feeling of deep sympathy and concern for another who is suffering.

3. philanthropy: The desire to promote the welfare of others, expressed especially by the generous donation of money to good causes.

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Quotes

Quotes by authors and personalities

1. A few skimpy corporate pensions were paid, but they were offered as much as departure incentives designed to promote business efficiency as expressions of "altruism".

   - W. Andrew Achenbaum,{it}Wilson Quarterly{/it},Spring 2006

2. Mary may have ample resources and prefer that her share pass to her children who have greater need and are in lower income tax brackets. (The progressive nature of our tax laws often fosters such "altruism" among family members.)

   - William M. McGovern, Jr. et al.,{it}Wills, Trusts and Estates{/it},1988

3. And he still chokes up when he tells the story. Even at that young age, he understood that what his aunt was doing for him was the purest act of "altruism".

   - Gail Sheehy,{it}New York Times Magazine{/it},20 Apr. 1986

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Culture

Any cultural, historical, or symbolic significance of the word. Explore how the word has been used in literature, art, music, or other forms of expression.

Altruism has been a significant theme in various forms of art, literature, and philosophy throughout history. In literature, altruistic characters often serve as moral exemplars, such as Scrooge in Charles Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol'. In art, altruistic themes can be found in works that depict acts of kindness and compassion, such as Caravaggio's 'The Calling of St. Matthew'. In music, songs about altruism and kindness are common, such as John Lennon's 'Imagine'.

How to Memorize "altruism"

1. visualize
   

   - Imagine a person performing a selfless act of kindness, such as giving a coat to a homeless person or volunteering at a soup kitchen.

2. associate
   

   - Associate the word 'altruism' with acts of kindness, compassion, and selflessness.

3. mnemonics
   

   - Use the acronym 'ALTRUISM' to remember the meaning: 'A' for Altruistic, 'L' for Love, 'T' for Them, 'R' for Really, 'U' for Understand, 'I' for Involve, and 'S' for Serve.'

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