Lexic.us

Definition of Altruism

1. Noun. The quality of unselfish concern for the welfare of others.

Definition of Altruism

1. n. Regard for others, both natural and moral; devotion to the interests of others; brotherly kindness; -- opposed to egoism or selfishness.

Definition of Altruism

1. Noun. Regard for others, both natural and moral; devotion to the interests of others; brotherly kindness; – opposed to egoism or selfishness. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Altruism

1. selfless devotion to the welfare of others [n -S]

Medical Definition of Altruism

1. Regard for others, both natural and moral; devotion to the interests of others; brotherly kindness; opposed to egoism or selfishness. Origin: F. Altruisme (a word of Comte's), It. Altrui of or to others, fr. L. Alter another. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Altruism

Literary usage of Altruism

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The Data of Ethics by Herbert Spencer (1882)
"Under altruism in this comprehensive sense, I take in the acts by which offspring are preserved and the • species maintained. Moreover, among these acts ..."

2. Science by American Association for the Advancement of Science (1888)
"A most excellent term to use for this is 'altruism,' — a term first employed only about fifty years ago by Auguste Comte to signify devotion to others or to ..."

3. Works by Herbert Spencer (1902)
"If we define altruism as being all action which, in the normal course of things, benefits others instead of benefiting self, then, from the dawn of life, ..."

4. The Grand Strategy of Evolution: The Social Philosophy of a Biologist by William Patten (1920)
"... The Constructive Metabolism of Egoism and altruism—The Merging of Egoism and altruism into Organization, and its Emergence as the Augmented altruism of ..."

5. The Biology of War by Georg Friedrich Nicolai (1919)
"The sensation which we experience because we feel we all belong to one vast organism we call altruism; but that which we experience because of the fact that ..."

6. The Settlement horizon: A National Estimateby Kennedy, Albert Joseph, Robert Archey Woods by Kennedy, Albert Joseph, Robert Archey Woods (1922)
"GROUP altruism WHILE it is highly desirable to set young and old at work doing something that will benefit the people about them, group altruism should not ..."

Other Resources: