Altruism and Sociological Theory

Although related topics have been much discussed, altruism has not been a subject of particular interest in recent sociological theories. It is instructive to consider the reasons for this neglect. Altruism originated in understandings of human nature that held forth possibilities of fundamental transformations of the will. These understandings were still evident in sociological theories that emerged in the nineteenth century. Concurrent philosophical developments, however, undermined the view that such transformations were possible. Tracing these developments points to the importance of recovering the broader meanings of altruism.