Concept

Self-interest

Overview

motivation in human action

Overview adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0; see the article history for authors).

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The general rule reaches beyond those instances, from which it arose; while at the same time we naturally sympathize with others in the sentiments they entertain of us. Thus self-interest is the original motive to the establishment of justice: but a sympathy with public interest is the source of the moral approbation, which attends that virtue.
David Hume, A Treatise of Human Nature
States what Self-interest is; names Self-interest.
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The import of this conception comes out in considering the fortunes of the idea of self-interest. All members of the empirical school emphasized this idea. It was the sole motive of mankind.
John Dewey, Reconstruction in Philosophy
States what Self-interest is; names Self-interest twice.
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This is the popular view of crime; yet no dog goes mad from choice, and probably the same is true of the great majority of criminals, certainly in the case of crimes of passion. Even in cases where self-interest is the motive, the important thing is to prevent the crime, not to make the criminal suffer. Any suffering which may be entailed by the process of prevention ought to be regarded as regrettable, like the…
Bertrand Russell, Proposed Roads to Freedom
States what Self-interest is; names Self-interest twice.
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