Research Article

An Analysis of the Reasons Why Altruism Does Not Exist

Junze MaJiangsu Wuxi Tianyi High School, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China*

* Corresponding author: [email protected]

Abstract

Altruism has always been a hotly debated philosophical issue. In real life, people often confuse altruism with the act of helping others as such. This paper aims to debunk the existence of altruism in terms of its motivation, the meaning of the principle of altruism, and the possibility of its existence. This article mainly uses a speculative approach based on existing literature research and relevant theories. After demonstration, it comes to the conclusion that altruism does not exist. The motivation of seemingly altruistic behavior can be boiled down to self-interest. The research of this paper has a certain practical significance, and the research results can provide a certain reference for the dissemination of social values and the development of education.

Keywords: Altruism; Egoism; Motives; Implication; Intuition
Published: May 17, 2023
DOI: 10.54254/2753-7064/4/20220705
Volume: CHR Vol.4
pp. 473-477
Download PDF

References

  1. Cheng Litao. (2017). The virtue of selfishness and the ethic of altruism[J]. Journal of Hebei Normal University(Philosophy and Social Science). 40(4), 6.
  2. Ayn Rand. (2020). Aren’t all people selfish?[J]. READING&WRITING MONTHLY. (Z1):18-20.
  3. Yao Dazhi. (2015). Altruism and moral obligation[J].Social Science Front. (05):24-30.
  4. Thomas Nagel, Wan Junren. (2005). Altruism: The Problem of intuition[J]. World Philosophy. (03):68-74.
  5. Zhang Hongmei. (2010). Philosophical reflections on altruism[J]. vicissitudes. (12):155-156. DOI:10.13514/j.cnki.cn14-1186/k.2010.12.048.
  6. Liu Heling, Chenjing. (2008). Scientific interpretation and cultural inheritance of altruism[J]. jianghan tribune. (06):32-35.
  7. Ye Zexiong. (2010). Research on the Riddle of Altruism in School of Political Science and Law of Central China Normal University and its Contemporary Enlightenment[J]. Journal of Central China Normal University(Natural Sciences). 44(04):662-665. DOI:10.19603/j.cnki.1000-1190.2010.04.030.
  8. Wang Jin. (2014). Analysis of the new idea of altruism[J]. Modern Women. (08):33.
  9. Niu Chaowen. (2019). Altruistic motives: a philosophical perspective[C]//. 2019 Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Free Trade Zone Construction Symposium—Proceedings of the 5th Public Policy Think Tank Forum. 163-167. DOI:10.26914/c.cnkihy.2019.048061.
  10. Liu Xiangming. (2008). Altruism[J]. IT Manager World. (05):8.