In the universal concept, altruism is considered to be a positive quality. If you ask a person what altruism is, then most likely you will hear something like this: “This is when you do something for the sake of another, without your own benefit.” And this will be, in general, true. A society can be at its most productive when people come together and do things for each other. Even nature is essentially altruistic. For example, you can look at an organism affected by a cancer cell. This same cancer cell separates and lives only for its own sake, thereby destroying the organism in which it lives. Only by living in community with each other do cells provide a functional balance for life. The cancer cell in this metaphor is selfish. Creating for yourself. Thus, altruism can be understood as a conscious benefit for oneself while promoting the benefit of everyone. But what happens in life when some people talk about their altruism, or care. Very often you can see such an interesting option. A person sincerely thinks that he is doing something for someone else, but at the same time he does not understand how he is doing everything for himself. Another option is when a person does something, imagining this action to be a benefit for another, but also taking care of himself, but consciously. This happens very often. Recently I was told this story. Two women lived in one apartment. In general, they got along, but, of course, they wanted to separate. And then one of them was offered a new place of residence with a job. The following dialogue took place between them. - Are you still thinking about going to a new place of work? That's what you wanted. - And what? - I'm just wondering. - For what? - You were glad. I care about you. Of course, this is a concern, but about whom? Yes, human nature is selfish, the desire to have more than one has is in the blood. One of the parts of a person’s personal growth is understanding the growth of the roots of one’s selfishness, and making a decision to build relationships with loved ones, while correcting one’s selfishness. Based on the need to help and support others, we cultivate altruism within ourselves. As in the metaphor with the body and the cancer cell. When the cells of the body live and function for each other, they benefit many times over. The main gain is life. Welcome to the training “He and She” Author: psychologist Natalya Belyaeva. Skype - Nattanial, [email protected] Other articles on the topic: - A parable for those who have lived together for a long time. - What are these responsibilities.