Embracing the Other: Philosophical, Psychological, and Historical Perspectives on Altruism

Marc Notes: Papers presented at the conference, Theoretical and social implications of rescuing people in extreme situations: another look at altruism, held in Radziejowice, Poland, in June 1989.; Includes bibliographical references and index. Review Quotes:"Intelligently addresses several of the most important unresolved issues and controversies about altruism." -"The Journal of Politics", Review Quotes: ("Intelligently addresses several of the most important unresolved issues and controversies about altruism." )-("The Journal of Politics"), () Review Quotes:"Workaholics, their families, friends, and colleagues will welcome this comprehensive guide book. Robinson approaches workaholism with pragmatic and effective strategies designed to overcome the resistance with which most workaholics greet attempts to change them. This is also the first book I know of to look closely at the effect of workaholism on family members and children, the people who often feel most strongly its effects."-John Bradshaw, author of "Homecoming: Reclaiming and Championing Your Inner Child"Review Quotes:"An important resource for everyone concerned with the damage workaholism causes to self, family and career."-Gayle Porter, Review Quotes:"Robinson manages to cut to the heart of so many of today's problems and offers practical suggestions for those of us who have suffered from work addiction. A sober voice in a work-delirious culture."-Patricia Love Ed. D, co-author of "Hot Monogamy"Biographical Note: Pearl M. Oliner and Samuel P. Oliner are Professor of Education and Professor of Sociology, respectively, at Humboldt State University and co-authors of The Altruistic Personality: Rescuers of Jews in Nazi Europe. Lawrence Baron is the Director of the Lipinsky Institute for Judaic Studies and Nasir Professor of Modern Jewish History at San Diego State University. Dennis L. Krebs is Chair and Professor of Psychology at SPublisher Marketing: All but buried for most of the twentieth century, the concept of altruism has reemerged in this last quarter as a focus of intense scholarly inquiry and general public interest. In the wake of increased consciousness of the human potential for destructiveness, both scholars and the general public are seeking interventions that will not only inhibit the process, but may in fact chart a new creative path toward a global community. Largely initiated by a group of pioneering social psychologists, early questions on altruism centered on its motivation and development primarily in the context of contrived laboratory experiments. Although publications on the topic have been considerable over the last several years, and now represent the work of representatives from many disciplines of inquiry, this volume is distinguished from others in several ways. Embracing the Other emerged primarily as a response to recent research on an extraordinary manifestation of real-life altruism, namely to recent studies of non-Jewish rescuers of Jews during World War II. It is the work of a multidisciplinary and international group of scholars, including philosophers, social psychologists, historians, sociologists, and educators, challenging several prevailing conceptual definitions and motivational sources of altruism. The book combines both new empirical and historical research as well as theoretical and philosophical approaches and includes a lengthy section addressing the practical implications of current thinking on altruism for society at large. The result is a multitextured work, addressing critical issues in varied disciplines, while centered on shared themes. Publisher Marketing: All but buried for most of the twentieth century, the concept of altruism has re-emerged in this last quarter as a focus of intense scholarly inquiry and general public interest. In the wake of increased consciousness of the human potential for destructiveness, both scholars and the general public are seeking interventions which will not only inhibit the process, but may in fact chart a new creative path toward a global community. Largely initiated by a group of pioneering social psychologists, early questions on altruism centered on its motivation and development primarily in the context of contrived laboratory experiments. Although publications on the topic have been considerable over the last several years, and now represent the work of representatives from many disciplines of inquiry, this volume is distinguished from others in several ways."Embracing the Other" emerged primarily as a response to recent research on an extraordinary manifestation of real-life altruism, namely to recent studies of non-Jewish rescuers of Jews during World War II. It is the work of a multi-disciplinary and international group of scholars, including philosophers, social psychologists, historians, sociologists, and educators, challenging several prevailing conceptual definitions and motivational sources of altruism. The book combines both new empirical and historical research as well as theoretical and philosophical approaches and includes a lengthy section addressing the practical implications of current thinking on altruism for society at large. The result is a multi-textured work, addressing critical issues in varied disciplines, while centered on shared themes.

Contributor Bio:  Robinson, Bryan Bryan Robinson, Ph. D. is Professor Emeritus of Counseling, Special Education and Child Development at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and a psychotherapist in private practice specializing in individual, couple and family therapy. Dr. Robinson continues to conduct research with colleagues at UNC-Charlotte on workaholism and its effects on families and children. Dr. Robinson is licensed by the State of North Carolina as a Marriage and Family Therapist and a Licensed Practicing Counselor with degrees in psychology, counseling, and child and family development. He has lectured across the United States and throughout the world on such topics as relationships, self-esteem, stress and overdoing, workaholism, latchkey kids, and many more. He has worked as a family alcoholism counselor and clinical consultant to the Randolph Clinic, a marketing consultant to DeVries Public Relations Firm in New York City, teacher and counselor in public school systems, and taught at several colleges and universities. He has been a guest on CBS's The Early Show, CNN's Minding Your Money, ABC's 20/20, NBC's Nightly News, ABC's Good Morning AmericaContributor Bio:  Oliner, Samuel P Pearl M. Oliner and Samuel P. Oliner are Professor of Education and Professor of Sociology, respectively, at Humboldt State University and co-authors of The Altruistic Personality: Rescuers of Jews in Nazi Europe. Lawrence Baron is the Director of the Lipinsky Institute for Judaic Studies and Nasir Professor of Modern Jewish History at San Diego State University. Dennis L. Krebs is Chair and Professor of Psychology at SContributor Bio:  Baron, Lawrence Pearl M. Oliner and Samuel P. Oliner are Professor of Education and Professor of Sociology, respectively, at Humboldt State University and co-authors of The Altruistic Personality: Rescuers of Jews in Nazi Europe. Lawrence Baron is the Director of the Lipinsky Institute for Judaic Studies and Nasir Professor of Modern Jewish History at San Diego State University. Dennis L. Krebs is Chair and Professor of Psychology at SContributor Bio:  Oliner, Pearl M Oliner is research director of The Altruistic Personality and Prosocial Behavior Institute. She is a professor of education at Humboldt State University.