ABSTRACT
Altruism and character bear many relations to each other. Some are instruc-
tively contrasting. For example, altruism is seen as the mark of moral
exemplarism in our culture. Yet, we do not cite good character when praising
this personal ideal. Mother Teresa is not characterized as a person of good
character, for example. (Witness her autobiography, Muggeridge, 1977, and
accompanying testimonials found in the Attenborough documentary of her
life.) Jesus is not praised for his character despite his guiding role in much
character education, neither is Buddha nor any other benevolent exemplar I
can cite.