Psychospiritual Basis of Altruism: A Review

Abstract

Altruism seems to be perceived in its various hues. In several cases it is mistaken for “pseudo-altruism.” Considering altruism as an expression of self helps clarify this perspective of altruism and probably adds a spiritual connotation to it. This article looks at altruism from the self point of view and tries to expound the variations in expression of altruism with respect to variations in self-space. On the basis of self-space, three variations of self in progression toward altruism have been proposed. The journey of an egoistic self to a transcended self expresses the transition from pseudo-altruism to purest form of altruism, the state of self-transcendence. This calls for incorporation of strategies of self-progression for development of altruism. An attempt was made to adopt self-transcendence and its features mentioned in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs as an independent objective for the present study.

Eco-martyrdom: Positive elements of self-sacrifice

“…It is telling that the term “altruism” owes its lineage not to psychology, but to sociology. Auguste Comte coined the term, defining it in quite strict terms as behavior that is solely motivated by concern for the welfare of others (Valsala & Menon, 2019). Comte would not admit even a hint of self-interest into his original definition of altruism.…”

“…Comte would not admit even a hint of self-interest into his original definition of altruism. As such, the “altruism” that is often psychology’s focus, the sort that can be traced back to self-interest, does not qualify as altruism in the original, Comtean sense and has thus been retitled “pseudo-altruism” (Feigin et al, 2014; Valsala & Menon, 2019).…”

“…Recent scholars of altruism, while recognizing the tendency of all human motivation to be self-interested (Batson, 1991), argue that psychology should not discard completely the more selfless varieties of altruism (Valsala & Menon, 2019). There have been steps in this direction.…”

“…A. Moss and Barbuto (2010) performed a study on organizational leadership, finding that more altruistic leaders led better functioning groups, but these same leaders sought and received promotion less often (J. A. Moss & Barbuto, 2010; Valsala & Menon, 2019). In addition, another stage theory of altruism suggests that all altruism begins as pseudo-altruism, rooted in the self-interest of appeasing moral norms (i.e., good people do nice things for others).…”

“…Valsala and Menon (2019) propose a model of altruism inspired by Indian philosophy. In the “pseudo-altruistic” stage, the individual only seems to be behaving altruistically.…”