The Altruist in Politics

The Altruist in Politics, written by Benjamin N. Cardozo in the late 19th century, is a philosophical critique of altruistic doctrines in politics, particularly communism and socialism. Delivered as a commencement address at Columbia College, Cardozo argues that altruism undermines individual effort and creativity, leading to a mechanistic state that sacrifices personal freedom for material equality. He uses historical examples to illustrate the failures of communal living and warns against the dangers of prioritizing collective well-being over individual rights.