No, I do not mean the company which produces Marlboros.
Altruism is the concern for the well-being of others, with no thought of benefit for oneself regardless of the cost. It is a core component of many world religions, and a prized virtue. It can be said to be the opposite of selfishness.
There are countless instances of altruism to be seen in every aspect of human interaction. Parents will more often than not will make the necessary sacrifices to ensure their children can and will succeed. Spouses will more often than not concede to the wishes of their partners to ensure their happiness. Those with a deep connection to their personal faiths will often put forth the extra effort to help others for the sake of altruism. Some are raised to put others before themselves, regardless of faith, as a tenet of their basic decencies.
Do forgive the sudden onset of cynicism, but how often are these examples truly selfless? It may surprise you how often motivations for altruism can be plain selfish.
I would not venture to say that altruism is inherently selfish, but I will also recognize that there is no act a person can perform on the behalf of another without the presence of an ulterior motive lurking below the mind’s radar.
Parents want their children to be happy and succeed, because it directly reflects upon their ability as parents. The ultimate fate of their children’s lives are a direct result of the parents’ duty to instill into their children the virtues which will serve as the lenses in which every potential permutation of human existence will be viewed. To fail to do so to the best of their ability demonstrates failure as parentals.
Relationships between those bound by marriage and those with a personal commitment to each other are somewhat less complex. Again, to do less than the full extent of one’s ability to ensure the happiness of a significant other demonstrates failure as a mate. Regardless of the ratio of sacrifice on each side—an ideal equal sharing of sacrifice or the degree towards which the scale can slide—the dynamic remains that to get alone one must go along. There is not a person alive without deep mental issues that will submit to the will of their mate with no regard as to whether the relationship continues. It just doesn’t happen.
Regardless of one’s religious affiliation, if altruism is a core component, the followers are encouraged if not obligated to make a conscious attempt to be altruistic. Emulating the patchwork of deities/demi-gods/mortal men and women which embody the whole of human spirituality is often considered necessary to achieve the afterlife promised by their specific faith. Lets face it; nobody wants to go to their version of Hell. They do it because it is the “right” thing to do—according to the mortal authors which claim to speak for their gatekeepers.
Sure, there are people that care for their friends. This has little to do with parenting, religion, and love of a non-platonic sort. This is even less complicated to explain. Here is an example:
I discussed this theory with a woman much wiser than myself before I began to write. I consider her to be a friend, and her input was crucial in collecting and sorting my thoughts.
I want her to be happy. I want her to be healthy and live a long, fruitful life in which all of her dreams come true. I hope that she is happy in her current relationship, and that it lasts until the end of their lives. I wish her success in all of her endeavors.
This is what a good friend wants for all they care about.
Now count how many times I typed what I wanted there. Each of those examples are what I need to be happy on her behalf. I did not say a word about what she wanted, nor even needed.
Think about it.
