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Tyler Hirsch
Mr. Newman
English 101: Rhetoric
8 October 2014
Crazy/Generous
Altruism and psychopathy defy one another in the sense that one stands for mental
disorder and violent behavior (psychopathy) while the other relies on selflessness (altruism) and
the overall concern for others. The article Right On! in a september issue of The Economist
describes similarities between the two, including the brain and the differences in the right
amygdalas. The author provides the reader with a vivid image of how the two groups can have
significant changes in one part of their brain leading readers to believe that the right amygdala is
one of the most important, life changing parts of the brain. Dr. Marsh actually describes this
difference as a way to detail psychopathy as adaptive. The author assesses the polar opposition
between extreme altruists and psychopaths successfully by addressing the in-depth research of
the brain from a qualified doctor and further complementing the article
with a well chosen visual in a billboard and example.
Within the opening sentences the author sets the tone
effectively by explaining the concept of an altruist with a billboard visual.
A billboard illustrates an advertisement that will attempt to hook a viewer
in to the product. The author uses a visual of a billboard that
advertisement to find an individual interested in donating a kidney (figure
1). This is used to advance the readers knowledge on the topic of extreme
altruism. This works well because nobody except for an altruist would donate a kidney to a

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random stranger replying to a billboard ad. The Economist author states that extreme altruists
are at one end of a caring continuum which exists in human populationsa continuum that
has psychopaths at the other end. The author tries to explain altruism to a reader and does this

effectively with the billboard and also with the wise words of a credible doctor.
Dr. Marsh states that rare combinations of genes are ultimately what
underpins the characteristics of becoming a psychopath or altruist. The author
uses Dr. Marsh as the main source of the article to enhance the argument to a
reader. This use of logos defines the passage as a whole. Dr. Marsh states multiple theories of
similarities of psychopaths and altruists ranging from the brain to uncommon genes and this
gives the essay a push of credibility and an effective argument. The author uses Dr. Marshs
experiment to strengthen the readers depth into the distinct similarities. The author also ties the
concept of biology into the mix which also proves effective to set a scientific tone and attach the
audience more thoroughly. With the use of a credible source and ties to science, the essay proves
effective in assessing genetic and internal similarities between psychopaths and extreme altruists.
Most scientific essays rely on pure facts to stress ideas stated and this is not always
effective to pull a reader close. The Economist essay proves much different with its visual aid
and occasional opinion from a neurological doctor. To invite a reader into the world of
similarities between altruists and psychopaths, the polar opposition of the two is discussed in a
non-typical way which is extremely effective and well written.

Work Cited
"Right On!" The Economist. The Economist Newspaper, 20 Sept. 2014. Web. 01 Oct.
2014.