Bevin Ingram

Stacey Burleson

PHIL-2306

07/28/26

Altruism: Choosing to Help Others

Everyone has different beliefs about what makes an action right or wrong. Some people believe success should come before anything else, while others believe helping other people is one of the most important responsibilities we have. One ethical theory that stands out to me is altruism. Altruism is the belief that people should willingly help others, even when doing so requires personal sacrifice. Philosopher Peter Singer argues that living an ethical life means looking beyond ourselves and doing what we reasonably can to improve the lives of other people (Singer, The lifeYou Can Save, ch.1).

I connect with altruism because it reflects many of the experiences that have shaped my life. Serving in the United States Navy taught me the importance of teamwork and sacrifice. Becoming a single father has shown me that putting someone else’s needs first is one of the greatest responsibilities a person can have. Watching close family members struggle with drug addiction has also changed the way I look at people who are suffering. Instead of judging others, I have learned that compassion and support can make a difference. As I continue working toward my business degree, I want to become a leader who treats employees, customers, and the community with fairness and respect. Because of these experiences, altruism is more than just an ethical theory to me. It is a way of living. 

Altruism teaches that moral actions should focus on improving the well being of others rather than seeking personal gain. This does not mean people should completely ignore their own needs, but it does encourage people to recognize when they have the ability to help someone else. Singer explains that many people are capable of making a positive impact through acts of generosity, compassion, and service, even if those actions require some sacrifice (Singer, The Most Good You Can Do). James and Stuart Rachels also explain that ethical theories help people evaluate what makes an action morally right or wrong and encourage individuals to think about the effects their actions have on others ( Raches and Rachels). Looking at altruism through this perspective has helped me understand why putting others first can be considered a moral responsibility instead of simply a personal choice.

One of the biggest reasons I believe in altruism is because of my time serving in the United States Navy. Military service teaches people that success depends on everyone working together. During my years in the Navy, I learned that putting the team first was more important than focusing only on myself. Every person had responsibilities that affected everyone else. If one person failed to complete their job, the entire team could suffer. That experience taught me responsibility, discipline, and accountability. It also showed me that helping others often leads to better outcomes for everyone involved.  Serving in the military also changed the way I look at leadership. A good leader does not simply give orders; they take care of the people around them. The best leaders I served under were willing to help others, teach younger sailors, and make sacrifices for their departments. Those examples have stayed with me long after leaving the military. They showed me that leadership is built on service instead of power. I believe that idea fits perfectly with the ethical theory of altruism because true leadership is about helping others succeed instead of only trying to advance yourself.

Being a single father has strengthened my belief in altruism more than anything else in my life. Every day I make decisions based on what is best for my son instead of what is easiest for me. Raising a child means making sacrifices with your time, finances, and personal goals so your child has the love, stability, and opportunities they deserve. Even though it is not worth it because I want my son to have a better future. Altruism teaches that caring for another person’s well being is one of the highest moral responsibilities we can have, and I believe parenthood is one of the greatest examples of that. Singer explains that when we have the ability to improve another person’s life without causing significant harm to ourselves, we have a moral reason to do so (Singer, The Life You Can Save). I try to live by that idea every day as a father. Being a father has also taught me that kindness, patience, and understanding are just as important as providing financial support. My son watches everything I do, so I want to set an example by treating people with respect and compassion. I want him to grow up seeing that success is not only measured by money or accomplishments but also by the way we treat other people. I hope he learns that helping others and showing empathy can make a positive difference in someone’s life. Those lessons are values that I want him to carry with him as he grows older. Another experience that has shaped my belief in altruism is watching close family members struggle with drug addiction. Addiction has affected several people in my family throughout my life. Some of them lost their lives because of drugs, while others are still fighting addiction today. Watching people you love go through something like that is painful because you see how addiction affects not only the person using drugs but also everyone around them. Families experience heartbreak, disappointment, and stress, yet they often continue to love and support that person despite everything they have been through.

These experiences have also influenced the type of person I want to become in my career. As a business student, I understand that companies need to make profits to survive, but I also believe successful businesses have a responsibility to care about their employees and communities. Ethical leadership is about more than making good financial decisions. It also involves treating employees fairly, creating positive work environments, and giving back to the community whenever possible. Rachels and Rachels explain that ethical decision making involves considering fairness, responsibility, and the well being of others rather than acting only in self interest (Rachels and Rachels). That idea closely matches the type of leader I hope to become. Whether I become a manager or eventually own my own business, I want to create a workplace where employees feel respected, customers are treated honestly, and the company positively impacts the community. 

Although I strongly believe in altruism, I also understand that there should be a balance between helping others and taking care of yourself. If a person constantly sacrifices their own physical health, mental health, or financial stability, they may eventually reach a point where they are no longer able to help anyone. Altruism does not mean ignoring your own needs completely. Instead, it encourages people to do what they reasonably can while still maintaining their own well being. Singer argues that people should make meaningful contributions to help others when they are capable of doing so, but those actions should be thoughtful and sustainable rather than harmful to themselves (Singer, The Life You Can Save). I agree with this idea because helping others should come from genuine compassion instead of guilt or pressure.

Some people criticize altruism by arguing that it asks too much of individuals. They believe people should have  the freedom to focus on their own families, careers, and personal goals before worrying about others. While I understand that perspective, I believe there is room for both personal success and compassion. A person can work hard to achieve their own goals while still treating people with kindness, volunteering in their community, supporting charities, or simply helping someone in need. Rachels and Rachels point out that ethics often involves balancing competing moral responsibilities instead of following simple rules (Rachels and Rachels). I believe altruism reflects that balance because it encourages people to help others without completely neglecting their own responsibilities. 

Looking back on my life, I realize that many of my most important experiences reflect the principles of altruism. Serving in the United States Navy taught me teamwork, sacrifice, and leadership are essential for success. Becoming a single father has shown me what it truly means to put another person’s needs before my own. Watching family members struggle with drug addiction has taught me the importance of compassion, patience,  and  understanding instead of judgement. Those experiences have shaped my character and continue to influence the decisions I make every day. As I continue working toward my business degree, I hope to become the type of leader who values people just as much as profits. I want to build relationships based on trust, honesty, and respect. Whether I work for a company or eventually own my own business, i hope to create an environment where employees feel appreciated, customers are treated fairly, and the community benefits front the organization’s success. I believe that ethical leadership means serving others while also helping the business succeed. In many ways, that reflects the principles of altruism.

Overall, altruism is the ethical theory that best represents the values I want to live by. It teaches people to think beyond themselves and consider how their actions affect others. Through my experiences in the Navy, as a single father, as a business student, and as someone who has witnessed the effects of drug addiction within my own family, I have learned that helping clothes can have a lasting impact. While no one can solve every problem, everyone has the ability to show kindness, compassion, and generosity in everyday life. I believe those small acts of selflessness can strengthen families ,improve communities, and inspire others to do the same. Altruism reminds us that the measure of a person’s character is not only what they achieve for themselves but also but also how they improve the lives of those around them.

Work Cited

Rachels, James, and Stuart Rachels. The Elements of Moral Philosophy. 9th ed., McGraw Hill, 2021.

 Singer, Peter. The Life You Can Save: How to Do Your Part to End World Poverty. Rando House, 2009.

Singer, Peter. The Most Good You Can Do: How Effective Altruism Is Changing Ideas ABout Living Ethically. Yale University press, 2015.