selfless altruism

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "selfless altruism" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe actions or behaviors that are motivated purely by a desire to help others without any expectation of personal gain. Example: "Her selfless altruism was evident when she dedicated her weekends to volunteering at the local shelter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

It wasn't selfless altruism, of course; it was farsighted, enlightened self-interest.

The New York Times

Ms. Ewald's employment of children adds a certain shadowy intrigue, a hint of moral ambiguity, to what otherwise would seem to be an enterprise of selfless altruism.

The New York Times - Arts

"Selfless altruism presents a major challenge for the evolutionist," Dr. Francis S. Collins, the director of the National Human Genome Research Institute, wrote in his 2006 book, "The Language of God".

The New York Times - Science

But what at first seems designed to be a portrait of selfless altruism soon deepens, as it becomes clear that Nemoto has his own demons to confront, including the physical toll his work is taking on his body, psyche, and relationship with his wife and young son.

The Washington Post

So the Mohists were not committed to selfless altruism.

SEP

But when no good deed goes unpublished and you can keep score of your goodness through 'followers', 'likes' and the accompanying boosts to ego and reputation is truly selfless altruism online an impossibility?

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Where altruism emphasizes selfless acts that assist others, heroism entails the potential for deeper personal sacrifice.

University of California, Berkeley

Altruism denotes selfless behavior, but that behavior requires a self to negate, which Confucian role-bearing persons do not have.

Huffington Post

In another study by Catalyst, a nonprofit organization that expands opportunities for women in business, a global survey of 1,500 workers revealed that when employees perceived altruism and selfless behavior in managers, they were more likely to "feel included" in work.

Huffington Post

Volunteering your time is the epitome of altruism, but a related benefit to your selfless service is that it can also give you a career boost.

University of California, Berkeley

But in "Crossing," a Whitman's altruism and self-sacrifice are never altogether selfless, complicated by his sexual attraction to the young men with whom he surrounds himself to serve.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "selfless altruism", provide specific examples to illustrate the behavior. This helps to avoid generalizations and strengthens the impact of your message.

Common error

Avoid using "selfless altruism" in every instance where someone helps another. Save it for situations where the act is remarkably sacrificial or goes significantly beyond normal expectations. Overuse can dilute the phrase's impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "selfless altruism" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a concept or quality, as Ludwig AI confirms. For example, "Ms. Ewald's employment of children adds a certain shadowy intrigue... to what otherwise would seem to be an enterprise of "selfless altruism"."

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "selfless altruism" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe actions motivated purely by the desire to help others, without any expectation of personal gain. While the term "altruism" already implies selflessness, the addition of "selfless" provides extra emphasis. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness and usability. Though sometimes considered slightly redundant, it is appropriate in contexts where highlighting the purity of intent is crucial. It's most commonly found in news, media and scientific contexts. Alternatives such as "unconditional generosity" or "pure unselfishness" may be used depending on the desired nuance. Using "selfless altruism" sparingly and providing clear examples will enhance its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pure unselfishness

Focuses on the absence of personal gain as the primary motivator.

compassionate selflessness

Highlights the empathy and care driving unselfish actions.

unconditional generosity

Emphasizes the boundless and unrestricted nature of giving.

disinterested kindness

Stresses the lack of ulterior motives behind the act of being kind.

self-sacrificing benevolence

Highlights the personal cost involved in acts of kindness.

self-denying service

Emphasizes foregoing personal comforts or needs to help others.

self-forgetful dedication

Focuses on the complete absorption in service to others, to the point of neglecting oneself.

humanitarian spirit

Captures the broad scope of concern for human welfare.

nobility of spirit

Elevates the act of giving to a moral high ground.

unbought goodwill

Implies genuine kindness that cannot be influenced by external factors.

FAQs

How can I use "selfless altruism" in a sentence?

You can use "selfless altruism" to describe acts of kindness where there is no expectation of reward or personal gain. For example, "The doctor's work in the impoverished community was an act of "selfless altruism".".

What are some alternatives to "selfless altruism"?

Alternatives include "unconditional generosity", "pure unselfishness", or "compassionate selflessness". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "selfless altruism" redundant?

While "altruism" inherently implies selflessness, using "selfless altruism" emphasizes the purity and complete absence of selfish motives behind the act. It's a stylistic choice that can add emphasis.

What distinguishes "selfless altruism" from simple "altruism"?

While both terms describe helping others, "selfless altruism" underscores that the action is performed without any expectation of personal benefit. It highlights the purity of the motivation behind the act, contrasting with actions that might have underlying selfish reasons.