The Altruistic Species

The Altruistic Species is an ambitious attempt to explain altruism through the lenses of psychology, religion, and evolutionary biology . . . The Altruistic Species includes some interesting stories about people who have expressed remarkable acts of caring for others, which the authors explore in a thorough and sometimes pr0vocative manner. . . . Flescher and Worthen do not shy away from explicating difficult discussions, and they diligently follow the implications of difficult human decisions. —Shift: the Frontier of Consciousness—No. 17

Though the book delves into biological kinship systems and Immanuel Kant’s categorical imperative, the writing is clear and accessible. In its calm way of demolishing objections to the author's contention that most all of us have the capacity—and moral obligation—to become more altruistic in our character (as part of what Aristotle called human flourishing), the book is also revolutionary. . . .  It’s a matter, the authors say, of "practicing . . . moral skills" which become part of the "stable character" of altruism. It is a measure of a genuinely happy life. —Dan Barnett, Butte College

Flescher and Worthenpresent a superbly organized book that aims to assign altruism a more central role in both descriptive and normative accounts of human nature. This work is interdisciplinary in approach and rich in examples from philosophy, history, literature, and everyday experience. According to the authors, the title refers to "a central part of our identity as a species, a part that can become even more central than it currently is." To make the case for this, Flescher and Worthen note that standard definitions of altruism are too restrictive. Next, they integrate biology, psychology, philosophy, and religious insights to reveal how these often conflicting disciplines "can be synthesized to contribute to a coherent, comprehensive, and truly interdisciplinary account" of altruism. The authors end by providing a new definition of altruism. This volume is a great addition to the growing literature on altruism and a good companion to Stephen Post’s Unlimited Love: Altruism, Compassion, and Service (CH, Jan’04, 41-2761) and Altruism and Altruistic Love (CH, Jan’03, 40-2711), ed. by Post et al. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Lower-level undergraduates and above; general readers. —H. Storl, CHOICE, Vol. 45, No. 9

This book results from an interdisciplinary and team-taught course by a psychologist and an ethicist. Psychology is interested in the practical implications of altruism. Ethics is interested in the existence and nature of altruism. . . . Templeton Foundation Press promotes studies on the relation of science to spiritual realities. This book is a remarkable contribution to such a project. —Lucian J. Richard, OMI, Catholic Library World—Vol. 78, No. 3