Why do some people help other people for free? What is their motivation? How such a concept even work? Let us check and answer these questions.

Altruism In a Nutshell

Many people do only things they are directly interested in and refuse or avoid everything else. On the contrary, others do not have such a restriction and, for example, may help other people and spend their time (and money) for free. These people are called altruists, and the principle itself is called altruism. 

Such unusual behavior is not typical, but it existed from the beginning of humanity's existence. Many social, political, and charitable organizations follow this approach to support people and give them something they do not have. 

But why do altruists do that, and what do they want to achieve?

Motivation Question

The most common in the opinion of regular people, but the rarest in real life is pure altruism. People want to help others without getting anything in return. It is enough for them to understand that they did something important to make a life of other people better.

The next one and the most common motivation is advertising. Social and charitable organizations help others in return for the promotion of their name, mission, and place in society. Later this influence can be transformed into financial benefits or political power.

The last reason to help other people for free is to get hidden benefits nobody except for the altruist can see. For example, a business person may conduct free classes in exchange for contacts or an ability to make powerful friends.

Am I an Altruist?

This is the question every altruistic person should ask himself. It may appear that this is not pure altruism, but some other reason that motivates a person.

There is nothing wrong with it — it is fair to expect some service or benefit in return for help. However, such behavior is hard to call altruistic because of some other selfish motives.

This article is not a call to become a pure altruist, but rather a recommendation to stop calling yourself altruist if this is not true. Some people may disagree and continue to use this term in the wrong context. And everybody else should remember that altruism is not what we are doing for ourselves — this is what we are doing for the common good without expecting any feedback or public acceptance.