Abstract

In the modern age, with Hobbes and Vico as well as with Rousseau and Kant, the discussion about the human nature has changed Aristotle’s assumption that man is a «political animal», arguing that the human nature is violent, aggressive and egoistic. Virtues such as generosity, solidarity and, in particular, altruism were considered as unnatural sentiments, acquired out of necessity during the process of civilization. If one considers altruism not from a political point of view but from that of the individual relationships, one comes across the commandment «Love your neighbour as yourself» – which looks at altruism as a consequence of a command – and, on the other hand, the positivistic formula, later accepted directly or indirectly by some tendencies of the contemporary culture, «Vivre pour autrui», which has turned altruism into a natural sentiment, without which humanity would not have been able to acquire civilization. These two models have given rise to an intense debate, which has involved and still involves a large part of the moral philosophy of our times