Alphabet of Virtues: A is for Altruism

Ok, the beginning of the Alphabet of Virtues.

According to Google, Altruism is "the belief in or practice of disinterested and selfless concern for the well-being of others."

But I think it is basically doing things that benefit others without expecting anything in return. It's opposite is selfishness.

Why is altruism a virtue?

In our modern age, society thinks giving without getting something in return is nuts. In fact, we tend to teach a "What's in it for me?" philosophy on a daily basis in TV and movies. Relationships are taught to be 50-50 rather than 100%-100%, which is the more healthy relationship.

Pro "What's in it for me?" Philosophy

I found this quote while looking for examples. Political novelist Ayn Rand said this:


(To be honest, I wonder what kind of civilization she is describing here. I've never read her books. But I do know Libertarians love them. Maybe I should start, just to get a point of reference. I'll report back later on my progress and my feelings about it.)

But just from this quote I have several objections.

First of all, to reject morality of any kind or sort is dangerous.

Second, it is a really cold philosophy. Especially for relationships.
I mean, good parents have to be altruistic. They must understand that they will probably never get anything in return. Love is not real love if waiting for some kind of product return. Parents who raise their children only so their children will take care of them in the future will probably end up being shocked or disappointed when old.
And as for a loving relationship between spouses, if you are only doing something to get something, your spouse will more likely feel used rather than loved.
And Friendships? You are only friends with someone you can get things from? Really?
But Ayn Rand was thinking about business. The problem with that is quoted in Charles Dickens' book, "A Christmas Carol" said by Jacob Marley: "Mankind was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence, were, all, my business. The deals of my trade were but a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean of my business!”

Think of all the people you have admired. Did you admire then because they wanted something from you and did all they could to get a certain result from you, or did you admire them for what they gave regardless of expectation?




Three people I admire have the trait of altruism:
Mother Theresa
Martin Luther King Jr.


Mother Theresa

George Washington

Mother Theresa was not a pop star. She was a nun. She wasn't gorgeous. She wasn't uber rich. She was poor. And she gave all her time to the benefit of others, especially the orphaned children of India. She did not do it with the expectation that these kids would one day set her up in a cushy retirement. She had no expectation of return at all. She did it because she believed it was right.

Martin Luther King Jr. (Picture above) was an activist, who yes, did have something to benefit if he succeeded. But the likelihood of him succeeding within his lifetime was an upward fight that he knew would more likely benefit the generations after him. His famous "I Have a Dream" speech was not about him becoming famous or beloved or rich. It wasn't about creating a following to set himself up as an icon. It was about freeing others from oppression. And in the later years he focused a great deal on helping the poor, something he wasn't at all.

George

 George Washington intrigues me the most. The man was born well-off. He had no children of his own, but raised the children of his wife (who had been a widow), and then their grandchildren. In the Revolutionary War, he led his troops against a superior enemy and did not give up. And when elected President of the United States of America (the only president to get 100% of the electoral college votes) he insisted on being called "Mr. President" rather than "Your Highness" which is what others wanted to call him. He refused to take on the large salary they offered him at first. He was also reluctant to take on a second term as president, and refused to serve a third. How many of our presidents today can say that? He disliked the formation of political parties, interference in other countries, and slavery. And though he had inherited slaves from his father, in his will he ordered them free. In fact, he even provided pension for the older ones and training for the young former slaves so they could have useful skills. To be honest, I think he is why I really like the name George.

Altruism doesn't usually draw attention. Most altruistic people are not famous and never will be. They usually do things without fanfare or media attention. And most altruism isn't in the huge acts, but the small and simple things. I think this is why the title Mother is so endearing to children. Moms are perhaps the most sacrificing without expectation of compensation. And why the word Nanny though fond, has some taint. It is why teachers like those in films such as Freedom Writers, are so beloved. She took on extra jobs to buy her students books that her school would not. I doubt she made a profit or became rich.



I don't feel as courageous as she was. But I'd like to be.

A is for Altruism.

Why Altruism is a godly trait.

God gave us EVERYTHING we have. People say God asks a lot from us, but God does not ask us to worship him because He needs it. He asks us to worship Him because WE need it. The act of worship is the act of betterment of our lives in becoming more godly.

Jesus Christ did not suffer and die then resurrect to show off how cool and powerful He is. He suffered for us so we could become clean as He is clean. He died and resurrected so we could also be resurrected. He gets nothing from us.

A is for Altruism.