Contents
The book by the monk, biologist, translator and philosopher Mathieu Ricard advocates a scientifically based view of altruism as our underestimated ability, using which we can make our lives better.
1. Genuine altruism that “does not seek profit” exists
More and more research is devoted to proving the existence of completely selfless altruism. Mathieu Ricard cites several such works. For example, he mentions a survey of blood donors showing that less than 2% of them hope for something in return. Almost all without exception people simply wanted to help those who needed it.
Mathieu Ricard explains it simply: “When we give someone a good gift with all our heart, then the main pleasure comes from the opportunity to please the person, and not from the anticipation that we will receive something in return.” But doesn’t this “joy to bring joy” speak of our deep selfishness? No, replies Ricard, “if we do something for the benefit of another, and not for the satisfaction of our own act.”
2. Altruism is not a sacrifice
For psychoanalysis, altruism is a form of defensive behavior, a sublimation of our aggressiveness. Psychoanalyst Anna Freud calls this a “manifestation of masochism”: the altruist is simply looking for an opportunity to make a sacrifice with his act. Mathieu Ricard categorically disagrees with this thesis; he argues that when we talk about sacrifice, we often mean “external costs” – physical comfort, finances.
According to the Buddhist concept of psychic economy, one should distinguish between these external values and “internal costs”. “If I emerge victorious in the struggle for financial resources,” he writes, “I become richer externally, but I pay an internal price, experiencing hostility that confuses my spirit and leaves an internal trace in the form of a feeling of bitterness. And vice versa, if I selflessly show generosity, then I become outwardly poorer, but increase my subjective well-being.
So to show altruism does not mean pushing oneself into the background, shying away. “If the main criterion is to reduce the amount of suffering, then it is unwise to sacrifice our long-term well-being for the sake of another enjoying a small pleasant event.” The effort we agree to make must make sense.
3. Altruism is an innate universal quality
The work of psychologist Michael Tomasello suggests that the first outbursts of selfless help appear in people between 14 and 16 months of age. That is, we can say that children have a natural inclination to do good, not due to either culture or upbringing. The latter become decisive in the choice of further priorities – competition or generosity, egocentrism or sensitivity.
A study conducted among the “righteous” (those who helped European Jews escape during World War II) found that “their parents were more likely to talk about respect for other people, about honor, justice and tolerance than about material values,” writes Matthieu Ricard. “Besides, they did not emphasize obedience at all. And we know that obedience to authority has led many citizens to carry out orders that are incompatible with conscience.
4. Altruism improves mental and physical well-being
Psychologist Alan Lux observed thousands of Americans – participants in various voluntary actions. It turned out that compared to their peers, they all had better health, they almost always had a good mood and were less prone to depression.
Other studies have shown that girls who volunteer are less at risk for substance abuse, early pregnancy, and school disruptions. Also, depression caused by tragic events passes faster if you spend time helping others. Mathieu Ricard also gives examples of rescuers who, decades later, feel that their actions have made them inner richer.
5. Altruism is everyday work
“The Dalai Lama distinguishes between two types of altruistic love. The first manifests itself spontaneously and is explained by biological mechanisms that have developed in the course of evolution; it is expressed in our desire to protect our children, loved ones and those who treat us kindly.
Altruistic love of the second type, on the other hand, is indiscriminate. For most people, it does not arise spontaneously and needs us to develop it in ourselves.” But how to do that? With the help of different types of meditation, which begin with caring for people dear to us and gradually expand this feeling, transforming it into boundless benevolence towards all.
Altruism can also be “trained” with the help of good deeds and values defended in everyday life. In our society of total competition, all people are afraid of each other, everyone puts their interests above the rest, not thinking about others. On the contrary, in a society of mutual assistance, relationships are based on trust, in it they devote time to their neighbors and share blessings with them. “This is how a circle of solidarity and mutual assistance arises, which nourishes harmonious relationships.” concludes Mathieu Ricard.
* M. Ricard “Speech in defense of altruism” (“Plaidoyer pour l’altruisme. La force de la bienveillance”, NiL, 2013).