Define altruism, and describe a case in which a person appears to behave altruistically. How would the psychological egoist explain the person's behavior in the case you describe? Do you find the egoist's explanation plausible in this case? Why or why not?

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The Answer is Altruism is the selfless concern for the well-being of others. It involves acting in a way that benefits others without any expectation of personal gain or reward.

One example of altruistic behavior is when a person donates a large sum of money to a charitable organization anonymously. In this case, the person is not seeking recognition or praise for their actions, but rather is solely focused on helping those in need.

According to psychological egoism, all human actions are motivated by self-interest, even seemingly selfless acts. In the case of the person donating money anonymously, the psychological egoist would argue that the individual is still ultimately acting in their own self-interest, whether it be to alleviate feelings of guilt, to gain social approval, or to fulfill a personal desire for a sense of purpose.

I find the egoist's explanation to be less plausible in this case. While it is true that individuals may experience internal satisfaction or social approval as a result of their altruistic actions, it does not necessarily mean that their primary motivation is self-interest. There are countless examples of individuals who engage in altruistic behavior without any expectation of personal gain, which suggests that altruism can indeed exist as a genuine and selfless concern for others.

Define Altruism, and Describe a Case in Which a Person