What Can Never Be In Our Self-Interest: The Unselfish Truth

Humans are not solely driven by self-interest due to the significant role emotions play in their decision-making processes. Emotions give rise to an innate desire within humans to assist others and create positive impacts on their lives. Research conducted by David Rand at Harvard University in January 2019 has shed light on this aspect of human behavior. Rand’s findings reveal that both children and adults exhibit an initial inclination to lend a helping hand to others, challenging the notion that self-interest is the sole motivator in human actions.

The concept of whether everyone acts in self-interest is a topic often explored through the lens of psychological egoism, a theory that delves into the underlying motivations of human behavior. According to psychological egoism, all human actions are driven by self-interest, meaning that every decision, behavior, or action undertaken by individuals is ultimately rooted in their own pursuit of personal benefit or satisfaction. In essence, this theory posits that self-interest is the driving force behind virtually all human actions, shedding light on the fundamental nature of our motives.

What exactly constitutes human self-interest? Self-interest is typically characterized by a strong emphasis on one’s own needs and desires. It’s important to note that many actions driven by self-interest often occur without individuals consciously realizing it. To delve deeper into the understanding of self-interest’s role in shaping human behavior, various fields, including philosophy, psychology, and economics, have developed theories that explore this fundamental aspect of human motivation. These theories aim to shed light on how self-interest influences and guides our actions and decisions.