Altruism declares that any action taken for the benefit of…
“Altruism declares that any action taken for the benefit of others is good, and any action taken for one's own benefit is evil. Thus the beneficiary of an action is the only criterion of moral value - and so long as that beneficiary is anybody other than oneself, anything goes.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Moral value judged solely by who benefits; if benefit is others, any means are justified, ignoring intent or consequences.
In simple terms: Beneficiary decides morality.
Key Takeaway
Consider both outcomes and intentions.
Themes
ethics
altruism
egoism
consequentialism
moral philosophy
Mood
critical
philosophical
controversial
Type
ethical
political
theoretical
When to use this quote
- policy making
- charitable work
- business decisions
- personal relationships
- legal judgments
Key Concepts
utilitarianism
self‑interest
moral relativism
value theory
Questions to Reflect On
- When does helping others become immoral?
- How to balance outcomes with motives?
A Different Perspective
Ignoring intent can lead to harmful actions.