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ALTRUISM AS A THICK CONCEPT

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 July 2010

Michael Schefczyk  and
Mark Peacock
Michael Schefczyk
Affiliation:
Zurich University
Mark Peacock
Affiliation:
York University
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Abstract

In this paper, we examine different forms of altruism. We commence by analysing the ‘behavioural’ definition and, after clarifying its conditions for altruism, we argue that it is not in ‘reflective equilibrium’ with everyday linguistic usage of the term. We therefore consider a ‘psychological’ definition, which we likewise refine, and argue that it better reflects ordinary language use. Both behavioural and psychological approaches define altruism descriptively and thus fail to capture an important aspect of altruism, namely its normative component. Altruism, we argue, is a ‘thick concept’, i.e. one which embodies both positive and normative components. We discuss and compare various formulations of this normative component.

Type
Essay
Information
Economics & Philosophy , Volume 26 , Issue 2 , July 2010 , pp. 165 - 187
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2010

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