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The Million Dollar Question: Altruism Meets Philosophy

Philosophy : Philosophy Articles

Altruism - debate rages about this concept from time to time, and whether there is any such thing as a truly altruistic action.

In other words, can we ever act out of anything other than self-motivation, the egoist mentality. Many think that so-called altruistic acts aren't really, because we only do them because we want to and that means we are getting something out of the act for ourselves - whether the "warm glow" of giving to charity or something else self-gratifying.

Well, the best way to challenge such arguments is to think about situations where it appears we act altruistically, and then decide what's going on if it's not altruism.

You're probably familiar with Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, and the 'Ask the Audience' question. Whether it's the million dollar question or one of the lower value questions, the program producers clearly think we are altruistic. Why?

There is an unspoken assumption that if members of the audience know the right answer, they will give it. But does this make sense?

Imagine I'm in the audience. Person X in the chair stands to make a lot of money, and I can help him do that by pressing the right button on the keypad.

Most people in that situation, if they know the answer, clearly give that answer... statistics and hundreds of shows around the world show that.

But what do I gain from giving the right answer? I certainly won't see a cent of the money the contestant makes - I might even resent them for getting rich through some game show rather than years of hard slog and early morning disillusionment braving public transport.

Yet despite this - and not because of it - most people would give the right answer. Surely this must be a case of clear cut altruism? What else could be the motivation?

I already know the answer so don't need to prove it to anyone - so the only reason I give the right answer is to help that person in the chair. But no warm glow for me when or if they win big - I'm still penniless.


By: Fred

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