Altruism: Who Coined the Term?
Who coined the term/word "altruism?" Was it Kant and if so where is this information?Answered by William Thomas
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the term was coined by Auguste Comte, the 19th-Century French sociologist and philosopher, known for his philosophy of "Positivism." It is in Compte's sense of sacrifice to society or taking the good of others as the highest good that Objectivism speaks of "altruism," Many today use the term to mean this, or something less clear-cut, such as basic decency or generosity.
Objectivism rejects altruism absolutely. For a fuller discussion, see for example David Kelley's monograph "Unrugged Individualism."