# Altruism **Domain:** Evolution / Cooperation / Ethics **Doc Type:** Canonical concept node **Maturity:** Developed ## Definition Altruism is behavior that benefits another individual or group, sometimes at a cost or foregone advantage to the actor. ## Mechanism and Significance Kinship, reciprocity, coalition stability, repeated interaction, empathy, social learning, and group conditions can each support helping behavior through different pathways. ## Evidence Boundary The existence of altruism in nature does not make every helping act biologically identical or morally equivalent. Motive, cost, relationship, and institutional setting remain distinct. ## Relationships [[wiki/Reciprocity|Reciprocity]] · [[wiki/Social Grooming|Social Grooming]] · [[wiki/Human Animality|Human Animality]] · [[wiki/Evolutionary Biology|Evolutionary Biology]] ## Related Articles and Collections - [[collections/Simple Reminders|Simple Reminders]] - [[articles/The Evolutionary Roots of Silicon Valley|The Evolutionary Roots of Silicon Valley]] - [[articles/Digital Darwinism and the Invisible World of Machine Evolution|Digital Darwinism and the Invisible World of Machine Evolution]] ## Simple Reminders, Quotations, and Thoughts > “Altruism is widespread in the animal world. Many species share food, protect the vulnerable, and help unrelated members of their group. Kindness is part of nature's toolkit as much as competition is.” > **— Bryant McGill**, *Funding Your Dreams Through Trust and Human Capital - Livestream (Nov 2015)* [[reminders/Altruism/Kindness Is as Natural as Competition by Bryant McGill|Kindness Is as Natural as Competition by Bryant McGill]]