Are We Inherently Selfish? Exploring the Philosophy of Self-Interest

The question of whether humans are naturally selfish has been a long-standing debate in philosophy. While few philosophers believe that we only act out of self-interest, many agree that a selfish streak runs deep within us. But is this inherent selfishness a bad thing, and can we overcome it?

The Philosophical Perspectives on Selfishness

Psychological Egoism: The Extreme View

Psychological egoism suggests that all human actions are motivated by self-interest. However, this extreme view is not widely accepted due to the overwhelming evidence of people sacrificing their own well-being for others. Even young children demonstrate helpful behavior without expecting personal gain.

The Secret Impulse of Self-Love

Immanuel Kant argued that even when we appear to act for others, we can't be certain that we're not driven by a "secret impulse of self-love." For instance, charitable donations might be motivated by the desire for recognition or tax benefits rather than genuine altruism.

Two Kinds of Self-Love

Jean-Jacques Rousseau distinguished between two types of self-love:

• Amour de soi: Our basic need for self-preservation, which is natural and essential.
• Amour propre: Our toxic desire for recognition and social status, which can lead to unjust disparities.

Aristotle also believed that humans are social beings who thrive when they seek the good of others alongside their own. True self-love, therefore, requires us to counter our selfish tendencies.

Overcoming Selfishness: A Philosophical Challenge

Moral Duty, Pity, and Sympathy

Philosophers have proposed various ways to overcome selfishness:

• Kant suggested that our sense of moral duty helps us rise above self-interest.
• Rousseau and Adam Smith believed that emotions like pity and sympathy enable us to consider the needs of others.

The Power of Love and Attention

Iris Murdoch argued that love is the ultimate solution to human selfishness. She believed selfishness isn't about trivial matters but about seeing the world with oneself as the central figure.

Murdoch illustrated this with the story of a discontented mother-in-law who views her son's wife as "vulgar" and "juvenile." The mother's selfishness lies in reducing her daughter-in-law to a caricature based on her own jealousy and insecurity.

Murdoch believed that the mother could learn to see her daughter-in-law as she truly is – refreshingly straightforward and delightfully youthful – through conscious effort.

Love, in Murdoch's definition, is "the extremely difficult realization that something other than oneself is real." This realization can be achieved by cultivating attention, inspired by Buddhist meditation. This practice involves engaging with art, learning languages, or observing nature.

The key is to direct attention beyond oneself, practicing the ability to see the world as it truly is.

Cultivating Attention: A Path to Overcoming Selfishness

To cultivate attention and overcome selfishness, consider these practices:

• Engage with Art: Immerse yourself in literature, music, and visual arts to broaden your perspective and connect with different emotions and experiences.
• Learn Foreign Languages: Expand your understanding of different cultures and ways of thinking, fostering empathy and appreciation for diverse perspectives.
• Observe the Natural Environment: Spend time in nature, paying attention to the intricate details and interconnectedness of the world around you, fostering a sense of humility and connection to something larger than yourself.

By consciously directing your attention beyond yourself, you can begin to break down the barriers of selfishness and cultivate a deeper understanding and appreciation for the world and the people around you.

Ultimately, the journey to overcome selfishness is a continuous process of self-reflection, empathy, and conscious effort to see the world beyond our own limited perspectives. By embracing love, cultivating attention, and seeking the good of others, we can move towards a more fulfilling and meaningful existence.