As an exercise, let's say there are 4 positions with regard to human relations: Egoism, Non-egoism, Altruism, and Non-altruism.
An egoist will be exemplified by a moral code of action, or strategy if you will, wherein there is always a primary concern with one's interests. An egoist is primarily concerned with his interests. To be a non-egoist then, you would have less concern for your own interests -- they would not be your primary concern -- though they still may concern you somewhat. The vacuum left from removing your own interests from being at the top of your concerns could be filled by anything, such as a primary concern for the interests of others, for example.
When you are primarily concerned with the interests of others -- when it outweighs your concern for your own interests -- you are being an altruist and, depending on the real or imagined need of others around you, you may die quickly from your altruism. An analogy would be if you were crossing a desert and only very seldomly found water. Water would be scarce, but desperately needed. If whenever you found water, you filled your canteen, there is a good possibility that you'll make it through the desert. However, if you are an altruist and you meet a lot of travelers -- either going the same direction as you or going the other way -- then you will give your water away whenever you meet them.
This is because your concern for the interest of others outweighs your concern for your own interests.
Under altruism then, you may die quickly, as you give away anything that is of value to you by assuming that it is more valuable if transferred into the possession of others. What would non-altruism be? It would be when your concern for the interests of others is not primary.
Ed
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