Most people tend to do both good and bad things. Those people who are able to sacrifice their own interests for the sake of someone are called altruists.
By definition, altruism is a selfless concern for the welfare of others. Selflessness can be attributed to the manifestation of altruism - the sacrifice of one's personal interests for the sake of another person. Altruism is interpreted as a kind of good, the highest manifestation of virtue.
Altruism concept
The term "altruism" (from Latin "alter" - "other") was proposed by the French philosopher and "father" of sociology - Auguste Comte. According to Comte, a kind of altruism slogan: "Live for others." It is worth noting that the concept was identified on the basis of long-term observations of human behavior. It turned out that many, even notorious scoundrels and criminals, love someone in their lives, and they care about these people. And for the sake of loved ones, many are ready to step over their own principles, beliefs, provide help, assistance in anything.
There have been many observations, experiments in order to find out the ability of people to care for others completely disinterestedly. The results prove that people are capable of this, but it can be very difficult to identify the true motives.
Altruism and selfishness
Opposed to altruism, of course, is selfishness, which is presented as a kind of manifestation of evil. Unlike altruism, selfishness presupposes the domination of self-interests over public ones. To some extent, it is generally accepted that selfishness is something bad, vicious. However, it should be understood that neither altruism nor selfishness are "truths of the last resort," and with a high degree of certainty it can be argued that both are virtues in reasonable proportions.
Almost everyone has both altruistic and selfish inclinations. Imposed care can have the opposite effect of the altruist's expectations. And the rejection of one's own goals, dreams can hardly be perceived as a pure blessing. Failure to fulfill one's own desires very often entails unhappiness in life.
It should be understood that both altruism and selfishness in their pure form practically do not exist. An all-encompassing philanthropy and similar selfishness actually makes sense within the context. Perhaps, most people will be able, after digging into themselves, to agree with the statement that most often people are altruists and egoists in relation to specific individuals, groups of the population, and not to all inhabitants of the globe.