altruist
Puts others first
An altruist is someone who acts for the benefit of others, often at personal cost.
The term implies genuine concern for others' welfare rather than hidden self-interest: She's a true altruist—she volunteers every weekend at the shelter.
Contrast with egoist.
Concerned with others' welfare
- unselfishPrioritizing others over oneself
- benevolentDesiring others' welfare
- compassionateShowing concern for sufferers
- empatheticFeeling what others feel
kindhearted · magnanimous · noble · charitable · considerate · caring · giving · devoted
One who gives aid
- philanthropistDonor to charitable causes
- donorOne who contributes freely
- patronRegular supporter or customer
- sponsorFunder of activities
contributor · giver · backer · supporter · endower · grantor · underwriter · funder
Unpaid willing participant
- caregiverOne providing daily assistance
- activistVigorous cause champion
- advocatePublic cause supporter
- missionaryReligious outreach worker
helper · rescuer · mentor · champion · samaritan · peacemaker · do-gooder · guardian
Greatest-happiness moral theory
- humanitarianismPromoting welfare through compassion
- egalitarianismPhilosophy of universal equality
- collectivismGroup primacy doctrine
- communitarianismPhilosophy prioritizing collective bonds
service · sacrifice · empathy · solidarity · ubuntu · zakat · dana
selfless
Concerned with others' welfare
- unselfishPrioritizing others over oneself
- benevolentDesiring others' welfare
- compassionateShowing concern for sufferers
empathetic · kindhearted · magnanimous · noble · charitable · considerate · caring · giving · devoted · self-sacrificing
benefactor
One who gives aid
- philanthropistDonor to charitable causes
- donorOne who contributes freely
- patronRegular supporter or customer
sponsor · contributor · giver · backer · supporter · endower · grantor · underwriter · funder · angel
volunteer
Unpaid willing participant
- caregiverOne providing daily assistance
- activistVigorous cause champion
- advocatePublic cause supporter
missionary · helper · rescuer · mentor · champion · samaritan · peacemaker · do-gooder · guardian · protector
utilitarianism
Greatest-happiness moral theory
- humanitarianismPromoting welfare through compassion
- egalitarianismPhilosophy of universal equality
- collectivismGroup primacy doctrine
communitarianism · service · sacrifice · empathy · solidarity · ubuntu · zakat · dana
- thinkersthinkers, thinker, philosophers, philosopher, Aristotle
- Do-goodersdo-gooder, volunteer, activist, humanitarian, philanthropist
- good peoplesaint, do-gooder, humanitarian, philanthropist, benefactor
- helpersnurse, helper, volunteer, aide, assistant
- archetypeshero, villain, trickster, mentor, mother
- driven peoplego-getter, striver, hustler, dynamo, eager beaver
altruistegoist
Self-interested person
egotist · narcissist · self-seeker · taker · hedonist
altruistmiser
Stingy wealth hoarder
skinflint · hoarder · cheapskate · penny-pincher · tightwad
- altruistic behaviorActions benefiting others freely