When Light Pierced the Darkness by Nechama Tec Essays -- Pierced Darkn

When Light Pierced the Darkness by Nechama investigatorAltruism Concern for the welfare of others, as opposed to egoism self-sacrifice (American 99). In her book entitled When Light Pierced the Darkness, Nechama research worker asserts that nation who aided Jews during the Nazi Holocaust may defend acted altruistically however, they did so under a modified definition of altruism. Further more, she offers her own definition of altruism at bottom the context of the Holocaust and designates six traits, which she found rescuers of Jews to exhibit. While many an(prenominal) of these traits are apparent in the personalities of characters in the films discover on briny Street, Cold Days, Divided We Fall, and Europa Europa, some of them are glaringly absent. Tec offers the ecumenic definition of altruism, doing things for others without expectation of external rewards (Tec 151). She indicates that this definition does not apply to tribe who saved Jews because it does not tak e into account the tremendous amount of luck (e.g., the misadventure of losing ones life) involved in their actions. Consequently, she offers the biological perception definition of altruism, self destructive behavior performed for the benefit of others, which she perceives to be more applicable to the exploits of non-Jews who rescued Jews (151). Moreover, Tec personally defines altruism within the context of the Nazi Holocaust as, that behavior which is carried out to benefit another?with a possibility of very high, rather than inconsequential, personal costs to the giver (151). In addition, within the parameters of this broad definition she offers two sub-definitions normative altruism and autonomous altruism. Tec explains that normative altruism (e.g., a father donating a kidney... ... were outsiders may have contributed to their selfish, cowardly behavior. Thus, it is the individual who demonstrates a high degree of independence, a unanimous sense of duty where charity is concerned, and an ability to value every valet de chambre life regardless of religion or ethnicity that will be or so likely to selflessly aid people in distress. Conversely, it is the individual that lacks the aforementioned(prenominal) traits, who will be the least effective in assisting those in need. whole kit and caboodle CitedAmerican Heritage Dictionary. Second College Edition. Boston, MA Houghton Mifflin Company.1982.Holland, Agnieszka. Europa Europa. Orion, 1991.Hrebejk, Jan. Divided We Fall. Czech Republic, 2000.Kadar, Jan, and Elmar Klos. Shop on Main Street. Czechoslovakia, 1965.Kovacs, Andras. Cold Days. Hungary, 1966.Tec, Nechama. When Light Pierced the Darkness. 1986.