THE CAUSES OF ALTRUISM

Why do people rush into burning buildings to help strangers? Why do they give to charity? Why do they dive into the sea to save a drowning stranger? Philosophers have long wondered about the causes of altruism and now it is your turn. Do your research and write an essay about the causes of altruism.

Familiarize yourself with the issue

·         Altruism https://prezi.com/azj6n5oecbv_/altruism/  

Reading material to make notes on

·         Super altruists show heightened emphatic brain activity when witnessing strangers in pain

https://digest.bps.org.uk/2018/09/05/super-altruists-whove-donated-a-kidney-to-a-stranger-show-heightened-empathic-brain-activity-when-witnessing-strangers-in-pain/  

·         Why do human beings do good things? The puzzle of altruism  https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/out-the-darkness/201310/why-do-human-beings-do-good-things-the-puzzle-altruism

·         Pure altruism http://economistsview.typepad.com/economistsview/2007/06/pure_altruism.html

·         Is pure altruism possible? https://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/10/19/is-pure-altruism-possible/

·         The psychology of altruism https://thepsychologist.bps.org.uk/volume-20/edition-8/psychology-altruism  

Videos to take notes from

·         The science of altruism https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brqg4HA3mUI

·         Why some people are more altruistic than others? https://www.ted.com/talks/abigail_marsh_why_some_people_are_more_altruistic_than_others/transcript

·         How to let altruism be your guide https://www.ted.com/talks/matthieu_ricard_how_to_let_altruism_be_your_guide/transcript
      Refer to my second blog, The Essay Archive, for sample essays: https://theessayarchive.blogspot.com/