The dissertation entitled “A CRITICAL STUDY OF EGOISM AND ALTRUISM IN THE MOVIE “PAY IT FORWARD” FROM THERAVADA BUDDHIST PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVES” has three objectives: 1) to study egoism and altruism in Theravada Buddhism, 2) to study egoism and altruism in the movie, and 3) to analyze egoism and altruism in the movie from Theravada Buddhist philosophical perspectives. This research is a documentary research.

              The study found that the concept of Egoism in Theravada Buddhist philosophy is similar to the concepts of Selfishness where the doers emphasize on getting their own benefits. The concept of Altruism is to help others from suffering or helping the society as a whole in accordance with the practice of giving alms which emphasize getting benefit for both giver and receiver. And when the concepts of Egoism and Altruism in the Movie is analyzed, it is found that any action that would bring us benefits or giving other benefits while we also benefit from that are of the moral values in the view of Theravada Buddhist philosophy.

          This research argues that in the view of Theravada Buddhist philosophy, actions that are for self-interest or egoism can also benefit others because that action can produce both positive and negative results. And actions for the benefit of others or Altruism in which the doers also get benefit will have moral values as well. The doers have the freedom to choose to act any of these concepts but need to be careful in choosing with wisdom. Both Egoism and Altruism is a consensus of complementary practices that are compatible and can go together.

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