Altruism Quote by Lynne McTaggart
“One of the fundamental demonstrations of our natural instinct to Bond with each other is a will to give. Rather than domination, our most basic urge is to reach out to another human being, even at a cost to ourselves. Giving to others-the urge to empathize, to be compassionate, and to help others altruistically-is not the exception to the rule, but our natural state of being. Our impulse to connect with each other has developed an automatic desire to do for others, even at personal cost. Altruism comes naturally to us. It is selfishness that is culturally conditioned and a sign of pathology.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Power of Giving, 2020
Argues altruism is innate, while selfishness is culturally conditioned.
In simple terms: Altruism is natural; selfishness is learned.
Key Takeaway
Foster empathy and altruistic behavior.
Themes
psychology
human nature
altruism
social behavior
culture
Mood
inspirational
thoughtful
Type
psychological
social
When to use this quote
- education programs
- corporate social responsibility
- public policy
- personal relationships
Key Concepts
volunteering
community service
peer support
family caregiving
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies nurture innate generosity?
- What structures reinforce selfish norms?
A Different Perspective
Altruism can be suppressed by societal pressures.
