altruism
This term describes a selfless devotion to the welfare of others, often carrying a positive moral or ethical connotation. It suggests a conscious choice to prioritize another person's needs above one's own, regardless of any potential reward or recognition. In biological and evolutionary contexts, the word shifts from a moral virtue to a descriptive mechanism. Here, it refers to behaviors that increase the fitness of other individuals while decreasing the fitness of the actor, often explained through genetic kinship.
Meanings
The principle or practice of selfless concern for the well-being of others.
"Her lifelong altruism led her to volunteer at the clinic every weekend."
The biological phenomenon where an organism behaves in a way that benefits another organism at a cost to itself.
"Kin selection is a primary driver of altruism in social insects."