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@XorNot I see it more from an economic perspective. Adam Smith in The Wealth of Nations popularized the idea of self-interest as being the "invisible hand" that
by danboarder 5y ago
@XorNot I see it more from an economic perspective. Adam Smith in The Wealth of Nations popularized the idea of self-interest as being the "invisible hand" that motivates people in society to make economic (and other) decisions.
I think self-interest is just another way to explain pleasure, or what pleases a person. Essentially these are all used interchangeably: Pleasure, Joy, Self-interest.
I wouldn't simplify the concept of preferring long-term vs. short-term self interest as being a restatement of puritan morality. I think there is a fundamental realization to be had that a person can then apply to investing, relationships, health... many areas of life.
( Re self-interest, see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homo_economicus https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homo_economicus ).
- allturtles 5y agoHave you read Smith's Theory of Moral Sentiments? It applies the same kind of thinking found in Wealth of Nations (deriving systemic social principles from individual human motivations) to the moral sphere. He first introduced the phrase "invisible hand" in this, earlier book. https://www.adamsmith.org/the-theory-of-moral-sentiments https://www.adamsmith.org/the-theory-of-moral-sentiments
- danboarder 5y agoYes! Thank you for the reminder. Years ago I did read it in grad school studying economics, and this conversation has me looking for it, I plan to read it again. As a side note, I found the work of Joseph Schumpeter also incredibly insightful, he coined the term 'creative destruction'.