Here's a strange and fascinating question: is altruism even possible? In other words, is it possible to ever do something solely for the benefit of others, or is there always some consideration that benefits the self?
A man named George Price became so obsessed with this question that he devoted his life to doing good for others. He let people who were homeless live with him. He gave away his possessions. But unable to prove his ideas right or wrong, he became depressed and died by suicide.
Our guest for the hour is Dr. Randall Currenof the University of Rochester, who lectures on the question of why it's so hard to measure virtue, and how to understand our moral motivations.
