| 释义 |
altruism|ˈæltruːɪz(ə)m|
[a. Fr. altruisme formed by Comte on It. altrui (Fr. autrui) of or to others, what is another's, somebody else, f. L. alteri huic ‘to this other,’ the dative afterwards passing into a general oblique case. See -ism. Altruisme was apparently suggested by the Fr. law-phrase l'autrui, standing according to Littré for le bien, le droit d'autrui. Introd. into Eng. by the translators and expounders of Comte.]
Devotion to the welfare of others, regard for others, as a principle of action; opposed to egoism or selfishness.
1853Lewes Comte's Philos. Sc. I. xxi. 224 Dispositions influenced by the purely egotistic impulses we call popularly ‘bad,’ and apply the term ‘good’ to those in which altruism predominates. 1865Mill in Westm. Rev. July, To make altruism (a word of his [Comte's] own coining) predominate over egoism. 1871Farrar Witn. Hist. iv. 144 Is altruism a sweeter, or better word than charity? 1876― Marlb. Serm. xvi. 157 A good and wise modern philosopher summed up the law and duty of life in Altruism—Vive pour autrui—‘Live for others.’ 1877C. Row Bampt. Lect. (1881) 106 The religion of humanity, whose great moral principle is altruism. 1879Geo. Eliot Theo. Such viii. 147 The bear was surprised at the badger's want of altruism. |