Open College with Dr. Stephen Hicks | EP60 | Pathological Varieties of Altruism

Open College with Dr. Stephen Hicks | EP60 | Pathological Varieties of Altruism

From Open College Podcast by Produced by Possibly Correct Media

February 12, 2025 · 41 min

About this episode

The episode explores the complexities of altruism and how group loyalty can lead to unethical behavior.

Conventional wisdom holds that altruism - putting others' interests before our own - is inherently virtuous. However, research reveals a more complex reality: when individuals strongly identify with a group, their sense of personal responsibility often diminishes in favor of group loyalty, leading to behaviors they might otherwise consider unethical. This phenomenon manifests when people rationalize questionable actions by citing their duty to the collective. This "pathological altruism" has profound implications for human behavior and morality. Studies show that people are more likely to engage in unethical behavior when they see members of their own group doing so, while being less influenced by the actions of outsiders. This dynamic can escalate to disturbing extremes, where intense group loyalty leads individuals to justify harmful actions against those deemed outsiders, challenging our traditional understanding of selflessness and sacrifice. The research raises important questions about the true nature of altruism and its role in shaping both individual and group behavior.

People in this episode

Guest: Dr. Stephen Hicks

Topics covered

  • altruism
  • group loyalty
  • morality
  • ethical behavior
  • pathological altruism
  • human behavior

Keywords

  • altruism
  • group dynamics
  • ethical implications
  • morality
  • human behavior
  • pathological altruism
  • selflessness

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