Final answer:
An action taken to help someone achieve a goal or objective is known as prosocial behavior, and a form of this is altruism, characterized by selfless concern for others without expectation of personal gain. These behaviors can be motivated by personal goals, social impact, or moral reasoning based on the fulfillment of objectives.
Step-by-step explanation:
An action that one takes in order to help another person achieve a goal or objective is called prosocial behavior. This term encompasses a range of activities where individuals engage in positive social acts, ranging from simple assistance to acts of altruism. Altruism in particular refers to selfless acts where an individual helps others at a potential cost to themselves, sometimes without any expectation of personal gain or return. This kind of behavior is marked by the desire to support the well-being of others, as exemplified by heroic acts during events like the 9/11 terrorist attacks. More broadly, while some prosocial actions may be performed with the expectation of personal benefit, altruism is characterized by a selfless concern for others. People can also engage in prosocial and altruistic behaviors for a variety of reasons, which may include strategic objectives, expressive desires, or fulfillment of a personal goal to aid others. Moreover, such actions have a social impact, often setting an example to inspire collective action and support community initiatives. In the context of moral philosophy, the concept of telos (purpose, end, or goal) is used to argue that values are objective based on whether they fulfill a certain goal, such as helping others, which would classify the action as morally good if it aligns with this goal.