Explaining altruism from the perspective of Nigel's rational approach and Betson's empirical approach

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
zeinab abbasi 1
mohsen javadi 2
babak abbasi 3
1 zeinab abbasi, Department of philosophy,faculty of law,Theologhy and political Sciences and Research Branch of Islamic Azad University Tehran, Iran
2 - Department of philosophy of ethic, Faculty of Theology and Islamic Studies, Qom University, Qom, Iran، Javadi_m@qom.ac.ir
3 babak abbasi,Department of philosophy, y,faculty of law,Theologhy and political Sciences and Research Branch of Islamic Azad University Tehran, Iran,
10.30470/phm.2021.530964.1999
Abstract
Realizing the motivation of human behavior has been one of the most significant issues of human beings. In this regard, there are two approaches: egoism and altruism; egoism considers the motive of all human benevolent actions to be self-interest. but altruism considers all these kinds of behaviors as merely providing another’s welfare. Daniel Batson and Thomas Nagel are supporters of altruism in different ways.

Batson advocated psychological altruism by an empirical approach and offered altruism-empathy hypothesis, while challenging egoism. Existence of motivation for altruism in human nature was proved. The emotional feeling of empathetic concern creates an altruistic motive for the well-being of others.

Nagel defended the possibility of the rational motivation of altruism with a Interpretive method

arguing unbiased altruism is a requirement of rationality so it is purely moral and it is an undeniable condition of morality and fundamental principle. Batson's altruism is not necessarily moral, and he tends to put together self- interest and other-interest motives.

Descriptive-analytical approach was used to evaluate their views. It has been indicated that their perceptions of altruism and its relationship to morality are distinct, but they can be supporter for each other in rejecting pure egoism and defending pure altruism.

Keywords

Subjects

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