Capitalism justified itself and was adopted as an economic…
“Capitalism justified itself and was adopted as an economic principle on the express ground that it provides selfish motives for doing good, and that human beings will do nothing except for selfish motives”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Capitalism is defended by claiming self‑interest drives altruism, implying people act only when personal gain is involved.
In simple terms: Self‑interest as moral engine
Key Takeaway
Selfish motives fuel good deeds
Themes
economics
ethics
human nature
motivation
political theory
Mood
critical
skeptical
analytical
Type
philosophical
political
socio‑economic
When to use this quote
- business decision‑making
- public policy debates
- philosophical discussions
- corporate social responsibility
- personal ethics
Key Concepts
self‑interest
altruism
capitalist justification
moral economics
Practical Applications
- designing incentive structures
- critiquing economic ideologies
Questions to Reflect On
- Does self‑interest always produce beneficial outcomes?
- Can altruism exist without personal gain?