Does faith lead to the social virtue of altruism? Yes, faith can lead to altruism, because “The end of faith, even as of the other virtues, must be referred to the end of charity, which is the love of God and our neighbor,” as stated by Thomas Aquinas. While charity and altruism are separate virtues, it is generally accepted that the moral virtue of charity leads to social virtue of altruism. As faith leads to charity which leads to altruism, we can safely say that, yes, faith does lead to the social virtue of altruism.
“… the tie between religion and altruism embodies the power of religious values,” as said by Robert Putnam in ‘Bowling Alone’. And, according to a study by Nicola Etter, as religiosity increases, altruistic intentions increase, as well. See below a modified version of Etter’s Table 1.
Yes, faith does lead to altruism.
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