Make Your Point > Archived Issues > ALTRUISTIC
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connect today's word to others:
Auguste Comte (1798–1857), the French philosopher, urged us to vivre pour autrui, to live for others. His philosophy was altruism: a selfless focus on other people's happiness.
To be altruistic is to be ben_____nt: actively kind and helpful toward others.
And if you're altruistic, you're op______ed: generous, or freely giving.
(To reveal any word with blanks, give it a click.)
make your point with...
"ALTRUISTIC"
Altruism is the idea or practice of caring the most about other people's needs, welfare, well-being, safety, happiness and so on.
So, altruistic people and things are unselfish and focused on taking care of other people.
Pronunciation:
al true ISS tick
Part of speech:
Adjective.
(Adjectives are describing words, like "large" or "late."
They can be used in two ways:
1. Right before a noun, as in "an altruistic thing" or "an altruistic person."
2. After a linking verb, as in "It was altruistic" or "He was altruistic.")
Other forms:
Altruists are the people who practice altruism.
And you can do something altruistically.
How to use it:
Talk about
altruistic people and personalities;
altruistic interests and passions;
altruistic reasons, rationales, intentions, goals, motives, and motivation;
altruistic views, stances, and perspectives;
altruistic thoughts, behaviors, and habits;
and altruistic plans, projects, programs, and policies; etc.
examples:
Fred Rogers reminds us that disasters inspire altruism. "To this day, especially in times of disaster... I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers — so many caring people in this world."
Teach for America (TFA) places young professionals eager to make a difference into impoverished classrooms, but its founder poked a hole in that altruistic narrative, asserting that TFA is "a leadership development organization, not a teaching organization."
study it now:
Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "altruistic" means when you can explain it without saying "selfless" or "humanitarian."
try it out:
Fill in the blanks: "I suspect (someone's) motives are less than altruistic; (explain why)."
Example: "I suspect the band's motives are less than altruistic; they'll gain fame and followers from publically donating the new track's proceeds."
before you review:
Spend at least 20 seconds occupying your mind with the game below. Then try the review questions. Don’t go straight to the review now—let your working memory empty out first.
Our game this month is "The Meanings of Maladies."
I'll share a tidbit about the word for a particular symptom, disease, or condition, and you try to name it. We'll start with common maladies and work our way toward the rare and strange.
From our previous issue: Even if you've never heard of this rare condition that prematurely ages people, you can probably piece its name together: it's from Greek roots meaning "before or sooner" and "old man." What's the condition called?
Answer: Progeria.
Try this last one today: The name of this syndrome, which causes severe disorientation, even hallucinations, and affects how people perceive the size and shape of their own bodies, comes from the title of a children's novel. What is it called?
review today's word:
1. The opposite of ALTRUISM is
A. EGOISM.
B. FRUGALITY.
C. CONSISTENCY.
2. "Altruistic donors" are those who provide their healthy kidneys _____.
A. in exchange for payment
B. to strangers on the transplant waiting list
C. in exchange for another healthy transplanted organ
Answers are below.
a final word:
Make Your Point is crafted with love and brought to you each weekday morning by Liesl Johnson, a reading and writing tutor on a mission to explore, illuminate, and celebrate words.
From Liesl's blog:
36 ways to study words.
Why we forget words, & how to remember them.
How to use sophisticated words without being awkward.
To be a sponsor and include your ad in an issue, please contact me at Liesl@HiloTutor.com.
Disclaimer: When I write definitions, I use plain language and stick to the words' common, useful applications. If you're interested in authoritative and multiple definitions of words, I encourage you to check a dictionary. Also, because I'm American, I stick to American English when I share words' meanings, usage, and pronunciations; these elements sometimes vary across world Englishes.
Answers to review questions:
1. A
2. B
Auguste Comte (1798–1857), the French philosopher, urged us to vivre pour autrui, to live for others. His philosophy was altruism: a selfless focus on other people's happiness.
"ALTRUISTIC" Altruism is the idea or practice of caring the most about other people's needs, welfare, well-being, safety, happiness and so on. Other forms:
Fred Rogers reminds us that disasters inspire altruism. "To this day, especially in times of disaster... I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers — so many caring people in this world."
Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "altruistic" means when you can explain it without saying "selfless" or "humanitarian."
Fill in the blanks: "I suspect (someone's) motives are less than altruistic; (explain why)."
Spend at least 20 seconds occupying your mind with the game below. Then try the review questions. Don’t go straight to the review now—let your working memory empty out first.
1. The opposite of ALTRUISM is
Make Your Point is crafted with love and brought to you each weekday morning by Liesl Johnson, a reading and writing tutor on a mission to explore, illuminate, and celebrate words. |