Self-interest?

A friend asked me, "Why are people selfish? What good is it?"

I pondered over the subject and decided to create a post on it. They are just pure opinions, my two cents worth.

Self-interest drives the World.

I bought this pie, therefore, I get a larger portion of it. However, I am sharing this with you still. You just do not get as much. Maybe I'll give you more, but I do expect something in return. Are we machines of self-interests? Driven by the need to know that we will gain from doing something? What is the impetus of our actions? Altruism, equity or love? What is that driving force?

Ever since Adam took the bite out of the forbidden fruit, he realised he was not clothed. He gained knowledge and became envious. He did not care if Eve had sufficient garments to wear, he clothed her because he did not want to constantly look at her genitals. Self-interest, therefore, drives the the ambitions and actions of men. Altruism, as defined by the New Oxford Dictionary, is the belief in selfless concerns for others. I, for one, believe that deeds may seemingly be altruistic, however it is self-interest that drives 'altruism'.

The 20th century has seen the burgeoning of ideologies. Marxism-Leninism or as we commonly call communism with a dash of socialism advocates, fundamentally, equity amongst man. No social classes and anti-capitalist (the American economic model). The bourgeoisie (owns most of society's wealth) and the proletarians (workers) were on level grounds. The soviet union failed and collapsed. The military drained the funds for economic and social development. Self-interest, thus, is the impetus of the seemingly 'equity' promised.

The economic principles that underlie the free market is demand and supply. The self satisfaction for the former and profit maximisation of the latter. The prices and quantities are all determined by these two forces, thereby, eliminating the problem of scarcity in the world. Then again, it is self-interest that has sustained us.

However, there are those who save lives but chose not to be known. There are times when we willingly give. Not because we expect something in return, but, because of other innate reasons such as love. If I give you a ring and I expect you to buy me a wallet, then, I may well just go buy a wallet for myself without having to go through the trouble of buying you the ring. Beside, I can exercise my choice over which wallet I'd like to purchase. I give you this ring, because I love you. A love so unconditional, the cupids call me blind. You do not have to love me, but I know I do and I want you happy. The clichéd television romanticism that do exist in the world.

I suppose there are things in this world that cannot be explained that easily. We are, in this sense, driven by what our heart desires be it self-interests or not.