altruism

1. (biology, sociobiology) Action or behaviour that benefits another or others at some cost to the performer.Examples: "Altruism is a behaviour of an individual that benefits another at its own expense.[…]She decided to investigate what motivates ants to undertake these dangerous missions, where they risk getting trapped themselves or, worse, eaten by predatory antlion larvae, which dig pits and lurk, semi-concealed, at the bottom with their jaws wide open. Such apparently selfless rescue behaviour is seen by many as one of the purest forms of altruism.[…]Being nice to relatives is not pure altruism because they share your genes so, by helping them, you promote your own genetic heritage."Synonyms: philanthropycountableuncountable