Altruism as a reference point

Living within a partially unknowable universe, we do the best we can although there is essentially nothing to do nor anything to achieve, except perhaps to foster affection. The only way to be sure it’s the right way is by acting on instinct, according to what each situation suggests.
Intuitively we know life is not only about doing good, it’s about optimising our best opportunities. By making choices which are selfish but none the less intelligent and non-harmful we’re doing what comes naturally. These are the sorts of decisions we’re making every day, which we don’t mark up as ideals but as ordinary things; like the things grown ups do for the sake of the kids; like the things we do that feed back again to ourselves.
Altruism is the maturing agent for people who are in the process of learning, particularly if they’re learning through parenting. A child screams for attention and the parent comes to the rescue, goes into action, using altruism to help them make the best decision for the child as well as their own sanity. Altruism is always the reference point, especially when parents have to draw a line between indulging the child and denying the child. Each decision can be an altruistic one. It’s the same thing with the ant in the sink. Altruism can’t be partial and obviously never violent or harm-causing. In fact one might say that non-violence and harmlessness can never be anything but altruistic!