The Altruistic Species : Scientific, Philosophical, and Religious Perspectives of Human Benevolence.

By:

Flescher, Andrew Michael

Contributor(s):

Worthen, Daniel L

Material type: Text

text

Media type:

computer

Carrier type:

online resource

ISBN:

9781599471563

Subject(s):

Religion & Spirituality

Genre/Form:

Electronic books.

Additional physical formats: Print version:: The Altruistic SpeciesDDC classification:

171/.8

LOC classification:

BJ1474

Online resources:

Click to View

Contents:

Intro -- Contents -- Preface -- Introduction: Selfishness and Selflessness -- 1: Altruism Defined -- 2: The Perspective of Psychological Egoism: A sheep in Wolf's Clothing -- 3: The Perspective of Evolutionary Biology: The Genetic Dynamics of Caring and Cooperation -- 4: Psychological Perspectives: Nurturing Our Nature -- 5: Philosophical Perspectives: Altruism and the Role of Reason -- 6: Religious Perspectives: Altruism, Saints, and Believers -- 7: Cultivating Our Altruistic Identity -- Notes -- References -- Index.

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.

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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.

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.

Electronic reproduction. Ann Arbor, Michigan : ProQuest Ebook Central, 2024. Available via World Wide Web. Access may be limited to ProQuest Ebook Central affiliated libraries.

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