Altruism

noun (uncountable)

/ˈæl.tru.ɪ.zəm/

The selfless concern for and devotion to the welfare of others, involving actions that benefit another person at a potential cost to oneself, without expectation of personal gain.

✍️ Usage in a UPSC answer

While the welfare state institutionalises compassion, the success of community kitchens and citizen-led relief during the pandemic showed that the altruism of ordinary Indians can complement state capacity where formal governance falls short.

Synonyms

selflessnessself-sacrificebenevolencephilanthropymagnanimitycharity

Antonyms

egoismselfishnessself-interestself-centredness

🌱 Word Family

altruist (n), altruistic (adj), altruistically (adv), altruist (n), anti-altruism (n)

🔡 Root

Latin alter = other (dative alteri) → French autrui = of others; -isme suffix; coined by Comte 1830

📜 Etymology

Coined in 1830 by French philosopher Auguste Comte from French autrui ("of or to others"), from Old French, from Latin alteri (dative of alter, "other") + -isme; introduced into English in 1853 by George Henry Lewes in his translation of Comte's works.

🧠 Memory Hook

Root hook: Latin alter = 'other' (as in 'alter ego'). An ALTRuist puts the 'ALTERnative person' — the other — before himself.

🧭 Ethics & Integrity 📖 Seen in: Emotional Intelligence — EQ in Governa...

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