On True Altruism

We can only be motivated by self-concern. Even (when) we behave altruistically, or seemingly altruistically, there's always a selfish motive behind.
- Matthieu Ricard, French Buddhist Monk.

"Can true altruism exist?" asked Dr Stephen Lim during our evolutionary psychology mid-term examination. I argued for the negative.

Take, for instance, the predator confusion hypothesis. Ground squirrels have been documented to let out a high-pitched staccato whistle when predators are detected. The pack of squirrels benefit from this alarm, but the whistle-blower risks death by drawing the attention of the predator to itself. Such altruistic behavior warms one's heart until a more detailed study is done. Squirrels are more prone to sounding the alarm when they are with their genetic kin than when they are with non-related squirrels. Thus, a seemingly truly altruistic behavior can be explained by the squirrels' "selfish" desire to propagate and preserve copies of his genetic material.

Many others point to religion for other examples of seemingly altruistic behavior. Do Christians engage in helping behavior because of selfish reasons too? We feel good when fellow church members laud us for our faithfulness in ministry. The very fact that we are in a position to help implies that we are in a better off position. I won't argue that Christians do charitable work solely for selfish reasons. But the fact that we also benefit from our ministries is undeniable.

Over dinner last evening, Arthur pointed out that the premise that underlie this whole debate about whether altruistic actors can or should benefit from an altruistic act is problematic. Why should we think of the world as bleak if true altruism doesn't exist? What is so wrong about benefiting from an altruistic act one performs? Where is the harm done if both actor and recipient benefits?

The idea of anatman, or not-self, is a Buddhist one.

Arthur suggested that since we were created in the image of God, it is only natural for us to enjoy praise and thanks. It'll be just psychologically unhealthy and weird to deny oneself of credit where credit is due.

Perhaps Arthur is right. Perhaps there's really nothing wrong in feeling good in doing good. Perhaps I should stop shrinking from my responsibilities for fear that they benefit me more than my intended recipients.

Perhaps. Sighs.