At birth we are an ego-centric pole, an expanding polar flowering, learning to distinguish between self and not-self by way of sensation, thoughts and emotions. Altruism could be viewed as a behaviour which develops with an expanding awareness and of identifying with the not-self rather than the self. The mirror of the universe progressively reflects nature rather than the self. Our self-awareness expands to at least encompass a socio-centric perspective provided by the circumstances of nurture. Family, friends, sex, religion and the demands of daily living fill our existence. Some individuals grow even further to attain a geo-centric perspective whilst a few aspire to appreciate the entire cosmos. Thruout this process the extent to which an individual favours the egotistical or the altruistic is related to the inclinations which favour the self over that which is not-self. In fact human behaviour is so complex and interwoven with diverse motives of secrecy and deception, that attempting such a classification is barely worth the effort. Certainly in times of chaotic disaster, there is no shortage of volunteers with a seemingly genuine desire to help those in need but neither is there a shortage of individuals prepared to take advantage by indulging in looting. Individuals may even render assistance in one context and indulge in looting or exploiting the vulnerable in another.

Classifying individuals on an altruistic to egotistic spectrum will never be possible without an improbable simplification. In spite of all such considerations there remain situations where an individual appears to assist another in circumstances devoid of any form of personal benefit or where even the life of the assisting individual is sacrificed. It is possible for a self-awareness to acquire the capacity to conceptually empathize with another, to diminish their own egoism and individuality and appreciate the reality of their being as a faint reflection in the overall cosmic perspective.

In many ways altruism can be considered to be the entirely pragmatic cultural behaviour, for humans as well as many animal species, of treating others in a way which is helpful to them, simply because it has the potential benefit of possible reciprocation. It smooths the pathways of everyday living and can provide a powerful basis for the strategy of ganging up and combating the aggressive influences of egotism and avarice. In fact, if this form of altruism can be developed as an aggressive social activity realizing mutual benefits and ecosystem integrity, then the efforts of a few may yet gain favour and proliferate to counter the abuses of global exploitation.