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Jun 2024
58m 13s

Loving oneself and loving others | Carol...

Iai
About this episode

How much should we really value altruism?

Looking for a link we mentioned? It's here: https://linktr.ee/philosophyforourtimes

From charity-givers, to those who sacrifice themselves in war for others, we see altrusim and selflessness as virtues to be applauded. Those who take no heed of their own interests are highly praised in Western culture. But many point to a danger. Studies show that altruism gone awry leads to tolerating abusive partners, eating disorders and depression. And critics argue that some of history's most horrific episodes rose from appeals to altruistic tendencies. Forced sterlizations in the West were justified as "better for all the world". Should we see unhampered altruism not only as futile, but actively dangerous?

Join Professor of Humanities and Applied Psychology at New York University, Carol Gilligan, feminist icon and Professor of Philosophy at the University of Lodz, Katarzyna de Lazari-Radek, and Research Professor of Biological Anthropology at Harvard University, Richard Wrangham as they debate the dangers of altruism. Robert Lawrence Kuhn hosts.

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