Altruistisk

Altruistisk is an adjective used to describe motives, actions, or attitudes that prioritise the welfare of others, often at some cost or without a direct benefit to the actor. The term signals concern for other people or beings beyond oneself and is commonly contrasted with egoistic or selfish behavior. In everyday language, altruistic acts are typically understood as helping, sharing, or sacrificing for others without immediate personal gain.

Etymology and usage: The word derives from French altruisme and altruiste, borrowed into Swedish in the 19th century. The French term itself traces to autrui (others) and the suffix -isme, related to the idea of a doctrine or system of thought. In Swedish and other Nordic languages, altruistisk is the standard adjective for this quality.

In psychology and biology: Altruism is studied as a form of prosocial behavior. A key distinction is between altruistic motives (psychological altruism) and observable helping behavior that may be driven by self-regarding benefits. Evolutionary theories explain altruism without assuming purely selfless motives: kin selection (Hamilton, 1964) proposes helping relatives enhances inclusive fitness; reciprocal altruism (Trivers, 1971) suggests cooperation is rewarded by future exchanges. Additional ideas include group selection and empathy-based mechanisms.

Ethical and cultural perspectives: Ethically, altruism is discussed as a potential moral ideal, with debates about whether acts are truly selfless or always associated with some personal benefit, such as reputation or utility. Some traditions emphasize altruism as a central virtue; others caution against self-denial that harms the actor. Contemporary movements like effective altruism seek to maximize positive impact using evidence and comparative evaluation of outcomes.

Altruism-related terms include altruism, prosocial behavior, moral philosophy, and effective altruism. The concept remains active in psychology, neuroscience, and ethics as researchers explore motives, costs, and consequences of helping behavior.