People do not cooperate under the division of labor…
“People do not cooperate under the division of labor because they love or should love one another. They cooperate because this best serves their own interests. Neither love nor charity nor any other sympathetic sentiments but rightly understood selfishness is what originally impelled man to adjust himself to the requirements of society, to respect the rights and freedoms of his fellow men and to substitute peaceful collaboration for enmity and conflict.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Human cooperation arises from rational self‑interest, not altruism; recognizing that respecting others' rights benefits oneself.
In simple terms: Cooperation is selfish self‑interest.
Key Takeaway
Act in ways that benefit both you and others.
Themes
self‑interest
cooperation
society
rights
peace
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
philosophical
political
economic
When to use this quote
- business negotiations
- community projects
- political policy
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
rational choice
social contract
mutual benefit
Questions to Reflect On
- How does self‑interest lead to genuine respect for others?
- Can altruism ever be purely self‑serving?
A Different Perspective
Assumes all actors are fully rational and informed, which may not hold true.