As we progress on into module three, we look into exploring and understanding standing altruism. We are given the assignment to read the article Andrew Carnegie: A Tribute from the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh's website to further explore our ideas on altruism. After reading the article we must individually present whether or not Andrew Carnegie was a egoist or altruist, or displayed both traits. In my opinion Andrew Carnegie displayed both traits of an egoist and altruist.

Let us explore Andrew Carnegie’s egoist traits. The article stated “Mr. Carnegie loved to promote his ideas and opinions in print” and “It can be assumed that he felt his opinions and advice were not with proven merit.” Mr. Carnegie writings I print were perceived as egotist, that his ideas were always right and no explanation was needed to explain his ideas. His wealth came from the “toilers of Pittsburgh” whose continuous hard backing work made him rich. When criticized about how his wealth was made and how can be a true altruist. He replied back saying “it is the mind that makes the body rich.” To say that your mind is what makes you rich, displays arrogance towards those that work for him, which are not rich like him and stay poor working for him.

Let us explore Andrew Carnegie’s altruist traits. The article stated that Mr. Carnegie during his life he had given away around $350,000,000.00. When he died the last $30,000,000.00 went to good causes like foundations, charities and to pensioners that had worked for his companies. Even though he was rich man, he did the right things with his money, displaying his traits of altruism. Mr. Carnegie was also committed to education. He opened up hundreds of libraries from his vast wealth, making all of them free to public. This practice continues on today.

To be as rich as Mr. Carnegie was and the hardship he went through to obtain his wealth, must have some egoist traits. Luckily, Mr. Carnegie altruist traits influenced a whole generation, instead of destroying a generation. The points I talked about above does support my statement that from the article Andrew Carnegie: A Tribute that he displays both egotism and altruism traits.