1. ALTRUISM What is it?

2. WHAT IS ALTRUISM? Altruism (also called the ethic of altruism, moralistic altruism, and ethical altruism) is an ethical doctrine which holds that individuals have a moral obligation to help, serve, or benefit others, if necessary, at the sacrifice of self interest. An action is morally right if the consequences of that action are more favorable than unfavorable to everyone except the agent (wikipedia)

3. DISCUSS WITH A GROUP  Based on the definition alone, brainstorm several people who demonstrate this word. These people can be famous or individuals in your life. What do they do to show altruism?

4. DECIDE IF YOU AGREE  Altruism is human nature. We all are altruistic  Altruism is hereditary.  Even animals sometimes have altruistic behavior.  All human beings are 100% self-interested. In other words, even if someone helps another, they are doing it for their own interest and essentially for the wrong reasons.

5.  You do not need money to be altruistic. You simply need to sacrifice your time.  Altruism does not have to be for poor needy people you don't know. It can be a small act to help someone in your family, for example.  Helping someone in the family is not altruism. It is obligation. Only helping people you don't know is altruism. DECIDE IF YOU AGREE

6. LOOKING AT ALTRUISM  We are going to watch a movie clip.  After you watch, we will discuss some questions about the topic.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTyyKROkC 3E http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTyyKROkC 3E

7. DISCUSS WITH A GROUP  Describe the scene.  Is the main character's decision an act of altruism? Why (not)?  She is volunteering to help her sister. Do you think she would do the same for a stranger? Does it make her less altruistic?  Many believe this is not altruism, but moral obligation. What's your opinion about it?  Would you act the same way the main character did? Why (not)?  What else could she have done?