altruism

noun

1. (countable, uncountable)Regard for others, both natural and moral without regard for oneself; devotion to the interests of others; brotherly kindness.

   “The preposterous altruism too![…]Resist not evil. It is an insane immolation of self—as bad intrinsically as fakirs stabbing themselves or anchorites warping their spines in caves scarcely large enough for a fair-sized dog.”

   “Altruism allows doing for others as one would be done by. Unlike reaction formation, which also gives to the object what the self desires, altruism leaves the self at least partly gratified. Unlike reaction formation, altruism tempers asceticism with pleasure. Unlike passive aggression and martyrdom, altruism allows the object to feel blessed and not afflicted. Altruism attracts people to the user; martyrdom repels them even as it holds them close in chains.”

2. (countable, uncountable)Action or behaviour that benefits another or others at some cost to the performer.