Altruism

Altruism is the selfless devotion to the well-being of others who belong to the same communities, which can be real or imagined. It is a trait that is innate, learned, or both. This moral virtue—cherished in traditional and modern societies—marks a stark contrast to egotism, or the importance attached to oneself above all else. Altruism tends to manifest itself in its varied forms in a state of crisis, including the aftermath of natural disasters, followed by a sharing of resources in short supply and the influx of donations from the outside. At times of conflict, a close-knit community, such as the military, can call on the importance of altruistic self-sacrifice in close conjunction with nationalism, patriotism, or both—all placing the preservation of the community above ...