For the Greater Good of All

This volume draws on disciplines as different as Psychology, Anthropology, History and Biology to explain when and why individuals act to promote their own self-interest and when they sacrifice their own outcomes so that others can benefit.

"This compelling collection of interdisciplinary readings addresses a perennial concern: what is the proper relationship of the individual to the collective? The authors approach this question from a variety of perspectives, some of which argue in favor of empathy and altruism while others offer a spirited defense of selfishness and individualism. Throughout, they bring clarity to these issues by carefully defining these terms and providing vivid, real-world examples. This is a welcome addition to an important dialogue." - Matthew T. Lee, Associate Professor and Interim Chair, Department of Sociology, University of Akron

"For the Greater Good of All is a stimulating inter-disciplinary collection of reflections on what is, and how do we get to, the greater good for all. The contributors form a who's-who panel of experts whose reflections are sure to enrich society as well as stimulate exciting thinking in readers. Few edited books can someone sit down and read. This is one of the few that you can learn from, feel that society will benefit from, and yet enjoy." - Everett L. Worthington, Jr., author of A Just Forgiveness: Responsible Forgiveness without Excusing Injustice

"No greater problem than the greater good! Are we interested in it only insofar as it serves us, as some would argue, or do we possess social interests that transcend our narrow selves? This volume looks at the interaction between the individual and the collective from all possible angles, from Ayn Rand to primate behavior, illuminating how every member needs its group and how every group needs to serve its members." - Frans de Waal, author of The Age of Empathy

"Advancing our knowledge of society s big questions will require interdisciplinary efforts such as this. This book features an outstanding collection of noted scholars from a wide range of disciplines." - Ronald E. Riggio, Henry R. Kravis Professor of Leadership and Organizational Psychology, Claremont McKenna College

Auteur
DONELSON R. FORSYTH Professor and holds the Colonel Leo K. and Gaylee Thorsness Endowed Chair in Ethical Leadership in the Jepson School of Leadership Studies at the University of Richmond, USA.

CRYSTAL L. HOYT Associate Professor with the Jepson School of Leadership Studies at the University of Richmond, USA.

Contenu
Introduction: Perspectives on Individualism, Collectivism, and the Greater Good; D.R.Forsyth & C.L.Hoyt What Do Capuchin Monkeys Tell Us about Cooperation?; S.F.Brosnan Empathy-Induced Altruism: Friend or Foe of the Common Good?; C.D.Batson Cultural Neuroscience and the Collective Good; J.Y.Chiao, L.Hechtman & N.Pornpattananangkul A Brief History of Individualism in American Thought; E.Daniels Individualism, Collectivism, Leadership and the Greater Good; E.A.Locke Big Man, Big Heart? The Political Role of Aggrandizers in Egalitarian and Transegalitarian Societies; B.Hayden Resisting Machiavelli: Reducing Collective Harm in Conflict; N.J.Mitchell A Hippocratic Oath for Philanthropists; M.Moody Working for the Common Good: Individuals and Groups Address the Challenges Facing the World; M.Snyder