Egoism and Altruism in Medicine

Abstract

The definitions of altruism and egoism are shown to be vague and ambiguous and so is our language. A clarification of altruism and egoism requires an analysis of ethics, the self, causes of action, motivation, and emotion. The problem of altruism versus egoism is seen to be a pseudo problem. So altruism and egoism have to be redefined and based on a naturalistic, humanistic theory of ethics in order to make sense in contexts of medicine as well as in our whole lives. A rational, humanistic altruism based on a naturalistic theory of ethics welcomes positive altruism and positive egoism in terms of positive consequences. Schweitzer wrote, “According to the responsibility in me, I have to decide what I have to give away from my life, my possessions, my quietness, and what I may keep.” A physician must decide that.