Altruism: Its Nature and Varieties

In these compact yet thoughtful lectures, the speaker invites listeners to reconsider one of humanity’s most familiar yet puzzling virtues: altruism. Beginning with everyday observations—families choosing coarser breads for the sake of distant strangers—the talk traces how the idea of self‑less giving has been understood from ancient Greece to the Hebrew tradition and onward to the teachings of Jesus. The contrast between the Greek emphasis on mutual benefit and the biblical call for generosity beyond reciprocity sets the stage for a deeper inquiry.

The core of the series follows three recognizable stages through which the altruistic impulse moves in ordinary life, each tempered by a necessary dose of self‑interest. By introducing the notion of a “conjunct self,” the lecturer shows how egoism and altruism are not opposing forces but complementary aspects of human motivation. Listeners will come away with a clearer picture of how these ideas continue to shape our moral landscape in an age of rapid change.