Evolutionary theory postulates that altruistic behavior evolved for the return-benefits it bears
the performer. For return-benefits to play a motivational role, however, they need to be
experienced by the organism. Motivational analyses should restrict themselves, therefore, to
the altruistic impulse and its knowable consequences. Empathy is an ideal candidate
mechanism to underlie so-called directed altruism, ie, altruism in response to anothers's
pain, need, or distress. Evidence is accumulating that this mechanism is phylogenetically�…