Equilibrium Point: Altruism and Individualism Spectrum

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said that, “every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness”. The spectrum of altruism and individualism distinguishes the relationship between the commitment to others and a person’s self-protection.  Essentially, altruism “is the principle of unselfish concern to the well-fair of others”. In contrast, individualism is the “principle or belief of independent thoughts or actions”.

It should be axiomatic that in order to help others you must help yourself. Therefore, it is absolutely critical that one finds and equilibrium point of altruism and individualism. The requirement of help needed by people, around this world, is growing exponentially. Therefore, how can we distinguish when we as individuals are ready to help someone? Is it possible, technically, to be 100% altruistic? And if we truly want to be altruistic, do we first need to be individualistic?

Logic: 
1. If taking care of ourselves with physical and mental needs helps us develop strength
2. And if developing strength helps us be altruistic by helping others
3. Then we must take care of ourselves to be altruistic by helping others

Ultimately, the overall premise is that everyone requires basic needs to help develop the necessary strength to allow our bodies to function. We must all eat and drink. We must all have a stable perspective of life. And we must all have the ability to ensure our health. In order to do that, we unconditionally have to nourish ourselves (and sometimes that comes before feeding others).

On a technical basis, that means that we cannot truly be 100% altruistic. But that is a good thing. Too much of anything can tip your scale, and as a result, lose your balance. And the same goes for being 100% individualistic. To best optimize ourselves and our society, we must find that equilibrium point of the spectrum.

How to Find the Balance: 
The following are simple tips:
1. Realize that taking care of yourself does not make you selfish
2. Ensure that you to take the initiative to help someone else (it can be from opening the door for someone to volunteering for the Red Cross).
3. Always allow yourself to see a situation in someone else’s point of view.
4. If you have something good to teach, spread the word.
5. Appreciate others the same way you appreciate yourself.

Takeaway: 
Many great individuals who walked this earth, believed in the fundamental “altruistic precepts” and commitment to others. But effectively, as they believed in  charity to others (i.e. their time, teachings, or money), they all believed in the principles of self-conservation