Altruism’s Gifts of Nature
Have you ever gone out of your way to help somebody in need, or maybe even done something for somebody just because you know it will make them happy? If you have, then you could relate to the word “altruism”. Altruism is the belief in or practice of disinterested and selfless concern for the well being of others. In the article “Of Altruism, Heroism and Evolutions Gifts” the author Natalie Angier describes altruism by using examples of not only human beings but also in other species and social colonies. To allege, Angier explains how in ant and bee colonies, sterile female workers labor ceaselessly for their queen, and will even die for her when the nest is threatened. She compares the colonies to our soldiers, who risk their lives to fight and protect our country. I agree with Angier and how she explains that altruisms impulse is a nondenominational gift, the birthright and defining characteristic to the human species.
When somebody does something for you, or when you help someone whom you’ve never met before, it unleashes the altruistic in human beings whether we’re …show more content…
The first is dutiful altruism, meaning things you have to do, such as having to pay taxes or societal pressure making you do things you don’t really want to do. The second type is reciprocal altruism, can be classified by the saying “you scratch my back and ill scratch yours”. The third type is selfish altruism, when you are just doing something generously from the heart not expecting anything in return. Again, I could relate to this, there’s been multiple times where I’ve given to charity knowing it will help somebody in need. It makes me feel good. I believe it's something biological; humans naturally and selfishly want to help others. Altruism is one of the defining characteristics within all human beings; it sets us apart from any other species ever
Have you ever gone out of your way to help somebody in need, or maybe even done something for somebody just because you know it will make them happy? If you have, then you could relate to the word “altruism”. Altruism is the belief in or practice of disinterested and selfless concern for the well being of others. In the article “Of Altruism, Heroism and Evolutions Gifts” the author Natalie Angier describes altruism by using examples of not only human beings but also in other species and social colonies. To allege, Angier explains how in ant and bee colonies, sterile female workers labor ceaselessly for their queen, and will even die for her when the nest is threatened. She compares the colonies to our soldiers, who risk their lives to fight and protect our country. I agree with Angier and how she explains that altruisms impulse is a nondenominational gift, the birthright and defining characteristic to the human species.
When somebody does something for you, or when you help someone whom you’ve never met before, it unleashes the altruistic in human beings whether we’re …show more content…
The first is dutiful altruism, meaning things you have to do, such as having to pay taxes or societal pressure making you do things you don’t really want to do. The second type is reciprocal altruism, can be classified by the saying “you scratch my back and ill scratch yours”. The third type is selfish altruism, when you are just doing something generously from the heart not expecting anything in return. Again, I could relate to this, there’s been multiple times where I’ve given to charity knowing it will help somebody in need. It makes me feel good. I believe it's something biological; humans naturally and selfishly want to help others. Altruism is one of the defining characteristics within all human beings; it sets us apart from any other species ever