Genuine Love Is More Than an Altruist’s Daydream The Institute for Research on Unlimited Love is a nonprofit organization

“Altruism” is an inclusive concept that refers to other-regarding motivation or action. An altruist

need not manifest love —an altruist may be helpful or heroic from a rational sense of duty alone

(the heroic fireman or soldier). The mechanical and impersonal altruist need have no glimmer of

affective affirmation and kindness in facial expression or tone of voice. Such helpers are

appreciated, but they lack the attractive quality of love and seldom make good long-term

mentors. Love always attracts, altruism need not. Thus, unlimited love, as love for all persons

without exception, is the highest manifestation of altruism and is often associated with God (See

Altruism and Altruistic Love: Science, Philosophy and Religion in Dialogue, Oxford University

Press, 2002).



http://www.altruists.org/f74