I want to follow on from Maslow 'becoming the best we can' with becoming better than we know we can be. Altruism is the giving of the self for the good of others. Altruistic behaviour is celebrated in many human cultures because it is so unusual. Most of us are quite content to lead our own quiet lives unaffected by the needs of others. The picture above shows Sidney Carton in the film of "A Tale of Two Cities" looking into a mirror and considering the fate of his enemy Darnay and his own.The book is set just before and after the French Revolution.During the trial of Darnay (a French aristocrat) at the Old Bailey, Carton notices how alike they are. After the trial Carton reflects upon himself in the mirror, he speaks of how he despises and is jealous of Darnay.Carton is using the mirror as a way to connect with his rival: "So like each other in feature, so unlike in manner, both reflected in the glass. " Carton as a lawyer secures Darnay's acquittal.
To cut a long story short Darnay and Carton both love Lucie but it is Darnay whom she marries. During the time of the revolution Darnay is sentenced to death. Carton helps Lucie to escape and substitutes himself for Darnay dying on the guillotine the following day.You can read if for yourself:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tale-Two-Cities-Charles-Dickens/dp/0140623582/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1328450673&sr=1-2
Why do we find Carton's sacrifice so moving? He gives his own life for that of his rival and on the steps of the guillotine Dicken's gives him the immortal lines;
"It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to, than I have ever known."
So, psychologists have been debating the origin and uniqueness of such altruistic behaviour for many years. Because it is the act of helping others without the thought of reward, it demonstrates a lack of thought for oneself while you are considering the situation of others and striving to improve it. In some cases, altruism is an outgrowth of a moral attitude. For example, people who do charitable work because God demands it, or because they feel a sense of duty to their country or to a particular group.
Altruism sometimes has no underlying morals or beliefs to guide it and is the result of empathy for the feelings of others. The ability to understand and feel the emotions of others is a powerful motivator. When we feel the pain of others, we often become agitated, anxious, and tense as a result. Taking altruistic action to alleviate their suffering also helps to reduce our own distress.
Many psychologists believe that our tendency for empathy and altruistic behaviour is part of our evolutionary make-up. Our brains may be wired to respond to the plight of others because co-operative behaviour and sharing enabled us to survive in a world that was difficult and unrelenting. The greater good was served by altruistic behaviour, and today that instinct continues to motivate us. However, such evolutionary and mechanistic views of altruism cannot explain why we are so emotionally moved by the Christ-like sacrifice of Carton, or,more recently, that of the Ugandan martyrs, you can read about them on the following link
http://wau.org/archives/article/the_uganda_martyrs
