How does enlightened self interest differ from self interest

University Press Scholarship Online. Sign in. Not registered? Sign up. Publications Pages Publications Pages. Recently viewed 0 Save Search. Users without a subscription are not able to see the full content. Morality and Self-Interest Paul Bloomfield Abstract The relationship between morality and self-interest is a perennial one in philosophy, at the center of moral theory. More The relationship between morality and self-interest is a perennial one in philosophy, at the center of moral theory.

Authors Affiliations are at time of print publication. Your current browser may not support copying via this button. Show Summary Details. Subscriber Login Email Address. A leading British philosopher, John Stuart Mill , considered Tocqueville one of the premier thinkers of the time.

Tocqueville ascribed to the philosophy of classic liberalism. Other thinkers, notable classic liberal philosophers of the time included: John Locke, Adam Smith, and Friedrich von Hayek. It has "studied the spread and perfection of democracy around the world.

Hutchins, Robert M. The Great Ideas of Today. Chicago: Encyclopedia Britannica Press, Murphy, Tom. Tocqueville, Alexis de. Democracy in America. Originally published Chicago: University of Chicago Press, ISBN: This paper was developed by a student taking a Philanthropic Studies course taught at the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University.

Enlightened Self-Interest. Grade Level:. Enlightened self-interest was a concept that Alexis de Tocqueville discussed in his work Democracy in America.. He noted that Americans voluntarily join together in associations to further the interests of the group and, thereby, to serve their own interests.

Steenbergen Definition Enlightened self-interest was a concept that Alexis de Tocqueville discussed in his work Democracy in America. The following passage from Democracy in America sums up the concept of enlightened self-interest: The Americans, on the contrary, are fond of explaining almost all the actions of their lives by the principle of interest rightly understood; they show with complacency how an enlightened regard for themselves constantly prompts them to assist each other, and inclines them willingly to sacrifice a portion of their time and property to the welfare of the state.

Historic Roots To understand the significance of enlightened self-interest, one must look at the political and social atmosphere that existed in France during Tocqueville's time period. Importance The importance of Tocqueville defining this concept cannot be weighed lightly. Ties to the Philanthropic Sector The nonprofit sector flourishes today because of the concept that people working together can not only serve their own interest, but can also serve the community as a whole.

Overall, decisions made with rational self-interest are generally made based on financial prudence and economical satisfaction. Thus, rational self-interest can lead to important assumptions for economic projections and analysis. In terms of a market economic system, the basic assumption is that both producers and consumers act with self-interest as well as rational self-interest to invoke not only the greatest benefits but the most prudently managed financial decisions as well.

Therefore, both self-interest and rational self-interest often occur simultaneously. The concept of the Invisible Hand was introduced by Smith in the 18th century.

It refers to the idea that when parties act or interact, making decisions based on self-interest, unintended benefits are produced for society at large. Economists believe that the Invisible Hand has been the driver of a number of goods and services created for the benefit of both consumers and producers. As parties interact in a market economy, voluntary exchanges occur. These voluntary exchanges are based largely on actions made in self-interest. These actions manifest societal benefits at large because actions of individual self-interest often overlap with the best interests of others creating unintended benefits for large-scale economic gains.

Adam Smith's self-interest economic theory proposes that capitalism fueled by self-interest is ultimately the best way to a thriving economy. Because of human desire for money, success, or fame, they will be motivated to improve their quality of work, products, and compete with others.

In many cases, this competition fueled by self-interest will also lead to increased innovation. That being said, many people criticize self-interest as well, since more often than not, self-interest leads to non-altruistic means and goals.

It can often lead to corruption and cheating as well if government regulation and other regulatory forces do not keep it in check. In economics, self-interest is the idea that the best economic benefit for all can usually be accomplished when individuals act in their own self-interest. Self-interest is anything done for seeking personal gain. An example of self-interest, for example, is pursuing higher education to get a better job, so that you can make more money in the future. Another word for self-interest is selfishness, self-seeking, or self-serving.

According to Adam Smith, self-interest is important because it dictates a competitive economy and allows all individuals to perform their best to increase their own personal gain. In economics, self-interest is not necessarily good or bad. According to proponents of Adam Smith's theory, if all actors act in their own self-interest, the economy will be for the better. Self-interest and rational self-interest are powerful motivators of economic activity.

When people act in their own self-interest, their actions often manifest societal benefits at large. While self-interest can lead to corruption if not held in check by government regulatory forces, Adam Smith's theory still guides how capitalist societies are understood nowadays.

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