Empathy can arouse “true” altruism.
The Empathy-Altruism Hypothesis: the expression of needs by the other naturally evokes attachment-based empathic emotions of sympathy and compassion that motivate altruistic responses. (The “moral sentiments”).
Studies by D. Batson, M. Hoffman, N. Eisenberg, and others appear to demonstrate “true” altruism. Empathy arouses motives to benefit others as an end in itself to gain emotional rewards.