The Other, Altruism and Empathy. Variety of Prosocial Behavior

Sociology is par excellence the science of the other since relationality is the object of its approach. It is precisely from the relationship that is established with the other that various dynamics develop, which can be pro-social or counter-social, generating forms of altruism and selfishness, gen...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The American sociologist 2022-03, Vol.53 (1), p.11-21
Main Author: Cipriani, Roberto
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Altruism
Empathy
Globalization
Prosocial behavior
Social acceptance
Social dynamics
Social Sciences
Sociology
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Summary:Sociology is par excellence the science of the other since relationality is the object of its approach. It is precisely from the relationship that is established with the other that various dynamics develop, which can be pro-social or counter-social, generating forms of altruism and selfishness, generosity and appropriation, acceptance and rejection, collaboration and competition. Altruism, in particular, has been the object of attention by Comte and Spencer in a universalistic perspective very different from the contemporary forms assumed by the phenomenon of globalization. Perhaps, it is only through the analysis of the modalities of altruism that we can understand well enough the reasons that produce attitudes and behaviours that are more or less favourable towards others. If we then combine altruism with the peculiar processes of the exercise of empathy, the sociological problem in its complexity becomes even more intriguing. It is not by chance that Daniel Batson has started a rather articulate discussion that tends to show how altruism is motivated by empathy.
ISSN:0003-1232
1936-4784
DOI:10.1007/s12108-021-09496-y