Do Unto Others: Extraordinary Acts Of Ordinary People

by Samuel P. Oliner

A passing motorist stops to help the passengers of a car that has crashed into an embankment. A hospice volunteer begins her shift in hospital ward caring for people with AIDS. A Vietnam chopper pilot stops the brutal execution of innocent civilians at Mylai by American soldiers. A firefighter responds to a routine call. All of these people are considered heroes, but what motivates such brave and altruistic acts, whether by trained professionals or just ordinary people? In Do Unto Others , Holocaust survivor and sociologist Samuel Oliner explores what gives an individual a sense of social responsibility, what leads to the development of care and compassion, and what it means to put the welfare of others ahead of one's own. Having been saved himself from the Nazis at age 16 as the result of one non-Jewish family's altruism, Oliner has made a lifelong study of the nature of altruism. Weaving together moving personal testimony and years of observation, Oliner makes sense of the factors that elicit altruistic behavior - exceptional acts by ordinary people in ordinary times.

Genres: Nonfiction

288 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2003

Reviews

[Glenn Franco Simmons]

Professor Oliner (Sam) was a beautiful man and an inspirational teacher. Unforgettable. Blessed to have been taught in several classes by him.

[Richard Houchin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very cool collection of historical stories of altruism, as well as some contemplation of the act of the selfless. I recommend reading it with Dawkins "The Selfish Gene" and finding a copy of Robert Axelrod's study on game theory and tit-for-tat strategy.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the topic and stories of the author's survival during WWII, and other people's experiences. On the whole, the writing was rather dry and lacking a flow. I think this is an important book, but wish it was easier to read.

[Diane Dunham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written about the unsung heroes from the holocaust to 9/11. Didn't know there were so many people who saved so many lives. Especially during the holocaust.

[Clevver · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fascinating subject, but the book was painful to read. It read like a high school term paper that would have gotten a C.