Altruism-What Triggers? 30 09 2025
CSR was mandated by the Companies Act, 2013 in India requiring companies to spend 2% of their profits on social needs of the society. This raises the question, can altruism be legislated or is altruism defined to mean intentional, selfless action to benefit others only an oxymoron? A well packaged form of reciprocal exchange, or enlightened self-interest? On reflection, the triggers for altruism are quite a few and I can think of at least five triggers other than a legislative mandate like CSR for Indian corporates.
RELIGION: The oldest and probably the widest spread trigger for altruism across the world is religious duty. All religions without exception prescribe altruistic acts as a religious duty. Called by different name, dana in Sanatana Dharma, Buddhism, Jainism, zakat in Islam, tithing in Christianity, Tzedakah in Judaism and Vand Chhako in Sikhism to name a few. The only difference is in its frequency and the occasion. In some it is daily, in others annual or on the occurrence of specific events like death, birth or on festival days.
PEER PRESSURE: The peer pressure to conform is another widespread trigger. It many cases it not only triggers altruistic acts, but also determines its magnitude. This peer pressure is felt more often in residential colonies, professional groups and business districts. Non participation can lead to loss of reputation and social status in society. This feature comes to the forefront in contribution to events of natural disasters like tsunami, cyclones and earthquakes.
SELF–INTEREST: Many acts of self-interest is often disguised or viewed as altruistic acts. Prime examples of these are businesses setting up hospitals, educational institutions or centres of art to mainly cater to their employees, or habitations disrupted by their business operations.
PRIDE: Human pride is a prominent trigger for many actions and altruism is no exception. This is often visible in fund raising events for charity organizations that use auctions of art items and sponsorship of music, and theatre as a platform for their wealthy patrons to showcase their generosity.
SENSITIVITY: Last but not the least, I believe altruism does exist for it is the emotional trigger activated by seeing other human beings suffer that makes us human. Even where the obvious trigger is one of the four listed above, the trigger for that trigger is human sensitivity or the emotional connect among human beings.
While the motive for altruism can vary and its presence in its true spirit debated, there is no doubt that the need for more altruistic acts is the desperate need in our society. As long as poverty and wide wealth disparity exists, and young children, aged adults, and the critical sick struggle to fend for themselves, altruism is the way to go.
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