Symposium 2015

Virtual Library File - The Path to Altruism

The Challenge

How can the communities of people around the globe be induced to become more caring, not just within the social groups from which they derive their identities, but also across these groups? As the w ...

How can the communities of people around the globe be induced to become more caring, not just within the social groups from which they derive their identities, but also across these groups? As the world's problems - from climate change to financial crises - become more global in reach, how can people's domain of altruism be extended accordingly? What concrete steps can be taken across countries and cultures to strengthen the bonds of cooperation and weaken the forces of conflict?

▼ Abstract
▲ Abstract
Matthieu Ricard; 2014

This text points out that mankind faces global challenges like ensuring everyone decent living conditions and protecting the nature and that these challenges can be overcome by globally adopting an approach of altruism. Building on insights like those presented in the first two must-reads, Ricard points out that not only can individuals learn to be more altruistic but that the same is true for whole societies. It is clearly identified that especially our current economic system has to recognize that a more altruistic approach of doing things has to be adopted. The text concludes by mentioning very concrete areas and ideas, how practices can be moved towards being more altruistic and in line with a concept of “sustainable harmony”.

http://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/matthieu-ricard-on-how-societies-become-more-altruistic