The altruistic species : scientific, philosophical, and religious perspectives of human benevolence / Andrew Michael Flescher and Daniel Worthen.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Flescher, Andrew Michael, 1969-

Contributor:

Worthen, Daniel.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Altruism.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (301 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Philadelphia : Templeton Foundation Press, c2007.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

What motivates altruism? How essential is the phenomenon of altruism to the human experience? Is altruism readily accessible to the ordinary person? In The Altruistic Species, Andrew Michael Flescher and Daniel L.Worthen explore these questions through the lenses of four disciplinary perspectives--biology, psychology, philosophy, and religion. In the course of their investigation, they make an extended argument for the existence of altruism against competing theories that construe all ostensible cases of benevolence as self-interest in disguise. The authors consider theories of egoism; the role of genetics and evolutionary biology; the psychological states that induce altruistic behavior; philosophical theories of altruism in normative ethics such as Kantian, utilitarian, and Aristotelian models of moral action; and accounts of love of the neighbor in Christianity and Buddhism. Additionally, they offer a new, comprehensive definition of altruism that is inclusive of the insights of each of these perspectives. The Altruistic Species reinvigorates the debate over the prevalence of selfless motivation in human behavior--whether it is a rare or ubiquitous phenomenon, something that is always to be considered exceptional or a capacity that members of any community potentially could develop. This noteworthy interdisciplinary examination of altruism balances science, virtue theory, and theology. It is ideal for courses in ethics, human behavior, and evolutionary biology, as an educational resource for other multidisciplinary studies, and for interested lay readers.

Contents:

Altruism defined

The perspective of psychological egoism : a sheep in wolf's clothing

The perspective of evolutionary biology : the genetic dynamics of caring and cooperation

Psychological perspectives : nurturing our nature

Philosophical perspectives : altruism and the role of reason

Religious perspectives : altruism, saints, and believers

Cultivating our altruistic identity.

Notes:

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Includes bibliographical references (p. [279]-284) and index.

ISBN:

1-282-45086-7

9786612450860

1-59947-156-6

OCLC:

503157453