RATIONAL ALTRUISM VS. MORAL FOUNDATIONS: WHAT DRIVES POLISH YOUTH TO HELP UKRAINIAN REFUGEES?
RATIONAL ALTRUISM VS. MORAL FOUNDATIONS: WHAT DRIVES POLISH YOUTH TO HELP UKRAINIAN REFUGEES?

Summary/Abstract: This paper examines the moral factors that motivate altruistic behavior on the part of Polish students toward Ukrainian warrefugees within the context of economic theories on altruism. An online survey is used to itemise the students’ altruistic acti-vities, explore what they see as their moral obligations, and elicit their views on supporting refugees. The data are analyzedin relation to Jonathan Haidt’s five moral foundations using correlation analysis and logistic models. The findings suggest thatHaidt’s care/harm foundation significantly influences altruistic conduct towards refugees. The fairness/reciprocity foundation isnegatively correlated with supporting refugees when such support is perceived as unfair. Expanding the circle of moral obliga-tions (referred to as loyalty circles) is shown to have a positive and mostly significant effect on altruistic behavior. Moreover, thestudy shows that some Polish students acted contrary to their stated social preferences by supporting Ukrainian refugees despitebelieving that it is unfair. The paper concludes that these findings challenge the mainstream economic theories on altruism.

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