[p2p-research] Defining Altruism ? Normative vs Autonomous ? Liberal Vs Conservative ?

Tue Jul 20 14:34:08 CEST 2010

This is useful for enlightened self-interest, which, in short, smears the
definition of altruism, by and large, but gives some context:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enlightened_self-interest#Altruism

Altruism

Enlightened self-interest is also different from pure
altruism<http://wiki/Altruism>,
> which calls for people to act in the interest of others often at the expense
> of their own interests and with no expectation of benefit for themselves in
> the future. Some advocates of enlightened self-interest might argue that
> pure altruism promotes inefficiency <http://wiki/Inefficiency> as well.

 [edit<http://w/index.php?title=Enlightened_self-interest&action=edit&section=6>
]

Economics

   -

   E. E. "Doc" Smith <http://wiki/E._E._Smith>, in his science fiction book
   "Subspace Explorers <http://wiki/Subspace_Explorers>", posited an
   economic formula that would control profits and bonuses, which he referred
   to as "The principle of enlightened self-interest".

The wikipedia entry makes the point of actors understanding the needs of
others, acting in others interest, and that this behavior has no consequence
to their own self interest.  This is a combinatorial definition, using the
other definitions of altruism and adding on to them.

The Nash Equilibirum demonstrates the validity and utility of this kind of
enlightened self-interest:

http://variagate.com/equilib.htm?beaumind

I've been writing a page about a p2p relational system
http://p2pfoundation.net/P2P_Relational_System

I have some content on self-interest and how enlightened interest plays out.

EE Doc Smith is mentioned above.  He wrote over a long period, and created
the lensman series.  The main characters are "incorruptible" people who are
given the gift of telepathic communication and guide the way to the
expansion of the human race throughout two galaxies.  Through the 13 or so
novels of his that I've read the characters, the main characters, are always
in total 'knowing' of their self-interest, and their "gifts" allow them to
trust each other.  Indeed the greatest threats to the universe are always
those that seek to break that trust.  These are characters who never submit,
never give up, know exactly what they need, and are always willing to say
they dont know, they can't yet, or that they need help.

That is an impossible set of attributes.  So, what then....

People iterate.  Through processes of greater and lesser knowing.  Of
trying, failing and picking a new direction.

Questioning the self-interest of someone, or looking for altruism, are
useless without knowing ones self.  That's my contention.

That is why Ayn Rand's flavor is called rational altruism.

There's a favorite saying of mine:  "Know thyself and you will know the
universe and all its Gods."

I add, know thyself and it will be easier to screw yourself over than for
someone to take advantage of you. Then you don't need to concern yourself
with altruism, either.

A

On Tue, Jul 20, 2010 at 8:59 AM, Michel Bauwens <michelsub2004 at gmail.com>wrote:

> interesting distinction of altruism below, as found by Dante,
>
> it sheds light on differences like the one between Ryan, who just today saw
> the culture of the poor as responsible for their plight, and my own response
> to that,
>
> see here, the source is below:
>
> Politically conservative individuals tend to attribute the causes for a
> victim's plight (e.g., poverty, homelessness) internally
> Less sympathy is generated for the victim and consequently less help is
> given
> Tendency to hold a belief in a just world (everyone gets what they deserve
> and deserves what they get)
> Politically liberal individuals are more likely to make external
> attributions (e.g., to society) for a victim's plight
> More sympathy is aroused and more helping occurs
> Less of a tendency toward just world thinking
>
> **
>
>
>
> Tec defines two forms of altruism:
> Normative altruism: Altruism that is supported and encouraged by cultural
> norms
> Autonomous altruism: Individually-based altruism that is not supported, and
> may even be discouraged, by cultural norms
>
> Defining Altruism
> Prosocial behavior: Any behavior that benefits others
> Helping behavior: Behavior that benefits others that is performed with the
> anticipation of some reward
> Focus is on the self more than on the victim
> Egoism is the dominant motive
> Donating to a charity to get a tax break
> Helping a friend so she will help you in return
> Altruism: Selfless help that is performed without the anticipation of
> reward
> Focus is on relieving the suffering of the victim and not consequences to
> the self
> Empathy is the dominant underlying motive
> Anonymous donation to charity
> Teacher in Littleton, CO Columbine shootings
>
> Politically conservative individuals tend to attribute the causes for a
> victim's plight (e.g., poverty, homelessness) internally
> Less sympathy is generated for the victim and consequently less help is
> given
> Tendency to hold a belief in a just world (everyone gets what they deserve
> and deserves what they get)
> Politically liberal individuals are more likely to make external
> attributions (e.g., to society) for a victim's plight
> More sympathy is aroused and more helping occurs
> Less of a tendency toward just world thinking
>
> On Mon, Jul 19, 2010 at 9:25 PM, Dante-Gabryell Monson <
> dante.monson at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> In relation to "Incentives", including in p2p relational dynamics,
>>
>> When doing some searches as to understand  differences of spectrum between
>> "Autonomous Altruists" and "Collaborative Individualists" ,
>>
>> ( related links http://delicious.com/deliciousdante/principles , and a
>> related group discussion : http://tiny.cc/28ti1<http://groups.google.com/group/econowmix/browse_thread/thread/4869fa005c611b16/70160b4dd49f128a?lnk=gst&q=autonomous#70160b4dd49f128a>
>>  )
>>
>> I found out about this page :
>>
>> http://users.ipfw.edu/bordens/social/help.htm
>>
>> and wish to share some excerpts,
>> related to defining altruism,
>> but also to the influence on attributions from political views ( liberal
>> or conservative )
>>
>> ---------
>>
>>
>>    - Tec defines two forms of altruism:
>>       - *Normative altruism*: Altruism that is supported and encouraged
>>       by cultural norms
>>       - *Autonomous altruism*: Individually-based altruism that is not
>>       supported, and may even be discouraged, by cultural norms
>>
>>
>>
>>    - Defining Altruism
>>       - *Prosocial behavior:* Any behavior that benefits others
>>       - *Helping behavior:* Behavior that benefits others that is
>>       performed with the anticipation of some reward
>>          - Focus is on the self more than on the victim
>>             - Egoism is the dominant motive
>>             - Donating to a charity to get a tax break
>>             - Helping a friend so she will help you in return
>>          - *Altruism:* Selfless help that is performed without the
>>       anticipation of reward
>>          - Focus is on relieving the suffering of the victim and not
>>          consequences to the self
>>          - Empathy is the dominant underlying motive
>>             - Anonymous donation to charity
>>             - Teacher in Littleton, CO Columbine shootings
>>
>>
>>
>>    - Politically conservative individuals tend to attribute the causes
>>    for a victim's plight (e.g., poverty, homelessness) internally
>>       - Less sympathy is generated for the victim and consequently less
>>       help is given
>>       - Tendency to hold a belief in a just world (everyone gets what
>>       they deserve and deserves what they get)
>>    - Politically liberal individuals are more likely to make external
>>    attributions (e.g., to society) for a victim's plight
>>       - More sympathy is aroused and more helping occurs
>>       - Less of a tendency toward just world thinking
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------------------------------------
>>
>> note :
>> I m interested in finding out the categories that best relate to this -
>> potentially
>> http://p2pfoundation.net/Category:Relational<http://videos.p2pfoundation.net/Category:Relational>
>> http://p2pfoundation.net/Category:Participation<http://videos.p2pfoundation.net/Category:Participation>
>>
>> and other incentive related pages ?
>>
>> perhaps also http://p2pfoundation.net/Altruism<http://videos.p2pfoundation.net/Altruism>
>>  ,
>> http://p2pfoundation.net/Relational_Model_Typology_-_Fiske
>>
>>
>
>
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