Are our efforts to help others ever driven solely by altruistic motivation, or is our ultimate goal always some form of self- benefit (egoistic motivation)? This volume reports the development of an empirically-testable theory of altruistic motivation and a series of experiments designed to test that theory. It sets the issue of egoism versus altruism in its larger historical and philosophical context, and brings diverse experiments into a single, integrated argument. Readers will find that this book provides a solid base (...) of information from which questions surrounding the existence of altruistic motivation can be further investigated. (shrink)

First published in 1818, The World as Will and Representation contains Schopenhauer's entire philosophy, ranging through epistemology, metaphysics, philosophy of mind and action, aesthetics and philosophy of art, to ethics, the meaning of life and the philosophy of religion, in an attempt to account for the world in all its significant aspects. It gives a unique and influential account of what is and is not of value in existence, the striving and pain of the human condition and the possibility of (...) deliverance from it. This new translation of the first volume of what later became a two-volume work reflects the eloquence and power of Schopenhauer's prose and renders philosophical terms accurately and consistently. It offers an introduction, glossary of names and bibliography, and succinct editorial notes, including notes on the revisions of the text which Schopenhauer made in 1844 and 1859. (shrink)

Phenomenological research is of great value to clinicians, policy makers, and ordinary persons because of its distinctive emphasis on making human behavior and experience intelligible with reference to the point of view of the actor. Unfortunately, the phenomenological tradition is not readily accessible to readers who are unfamiliar with it. This article discusses specific ways that researchers within this tradition can reach more of the readers who might benefit from their findings without compromising the integrity of their scholarship.

This study's purpose was to increase understanding and meaning of the lived experience of moral commitment as practiced by participants at the time of the study, not in retrospective. Phenomenology was the research methodology selected to elicit participants' understanding of moral commitment through in-depth interviews. ;Study participants were referred using selection criteria which included: demonstration of sustained selfless service to others outside of one's work life and a demonstrated tendency to inspire others to engage in similar service. The four women (...) and six men in the study, ranging from 33 to 78 years of age, represented blue-collar and professional occupations. ;Open-ended interviews elicited rich descriptions and stories about participants' service to individuals and communities. Through data analysis and identification of common themes, a phenomenological description of the experience of moral commitment emerged. ;Findings show that the lived experience of moral commitment is a way of life, or process, which typically includes: becoming aware of the needs of others and either feeling compelled or choosing to serve others as an extension of earlier life experiences, compassion for others and beliefs in God and justice. This process can reflect an autobiographical motif, or pattern of themes, in the life of the morally committed person. Moral commitment is accompanied by passionate feelings and inner conflicts, yet its exercise provides personal growth and psychic rewards which can act as motivation for continued commitment and service to others. For many, the desire to make a difference in the lives of others or in society reflects a partnership relationship with God, enacted through service to those in need, suffering or unjustly oppressed. Intention to make a difference was paramount, and participants continued to serve regardless of the outcome of their service. ;Findings reflect that the morally committed of both genders act from an ethic combining compassion, care and responsibility for others, and concerns for justice, individual rights and community welfare. Participants' lives reveal that neither traumatic life experiences nor abusive family backgrounds preclude the development and enactment of moral commitment, and, in fact, may compel persons to serve others in a selfless manner. (shrink)

A significant amount of research has been conducted examining the social, psychological and behavioral aspects of altruism , as well as the characteristics and practices of eminent altruists but very little research has been done that seeks to understand the nature of the lived experience of spontaneous altruism. This study seeks to fill the gap left by traditional psychosocial research by using descriptive phenomenological methods to reveal the structure and meaning of the lived experience of spontaneous altruism. Three participants wrote (...) descriptions of situations in which they engaged in spontaneous acts of altruism. Altruism was defined as a motivational state with the ultimate goal of increasing another's welfare . These descriptions were then expanded and clarified through a follow up interview. The results of the phenomenological analysis produced a structure of the lived experience of spontaneous altruism consisting of 15 constituent themes. These themes detail the complex emotional, psychological and mental processes that work together in the experience of spontaneous altruism. They also point to the possible roles of love, spirituality, ego-autonomy and creativity in the experience of altruism. (shrink)