Enlightened self-interest

pursuit of self-interest. The second chapter within Staplefords’ book “Bulls, Bears, and Golden Calves” discusses the importance of pursuing self-interest both economically and morally. It is through this chapter that a future economists realize how to adapt with self-interest in both areas of ones’ life. The first aspect discussed is the pursuit of self-interest economically. Self-interest is defined as a concern for one’s…

In general, being self-interest person does not mean that you are a greedy person because being self-interest person is a powerful weapon where the individual goes in search of a personal benefit, where the person feels motivated to include social and psychological thoughts. However, being greedy is when you want to have something with access to accumulating and to not share it with others, In other words, someone who thinks of their self. As human beings, we all act with a self-interest mindset…

Senior citizens who have no children in school can be enlightened by self-interest because a lot of senior citizens had a child who went to school back then; therefore, they sometimes want to relive the moments where they had young children, which can influence their decisions. Senior citizens can be influenced by the comMembers of a civic organization with a community service focused on homelessness can be appealed to self-interest by gaining an opportunity for them to help with playgrounds and…

Being fixated entirely on self interest can easily cloud an individual's ability to empathize. The opposite is also true in that constantly empathizing can allow an individual to neglect themselves and prevent them from bettering themselves. Both of these extremes have the potential to result in prejudicial behaviors. Nonetheless, when self interest and empathy are expressed with the appropriate level of restraint, the result has the capacity to be harmonious and the ability to maximize…

selfish, if given the opportunity to act on my personal ethical egoism I would, despite the interest of others. Due to the fact that I am acting upon my own self…

In his treatise The Spirit of the Laws, Montesquieu critiques the enlightened idea that every individual is reasonable and “educable.” Montesquieu states in the first book of his treatise that, “Before there were intelligent beings, they were possible; they had therefore possible relations, and consequently possible laws.” While Montesquieu is not contesting the idea that individuals are reasonable, he is stating that individuals are reasonable according to the physical nature that surrounds…

Enlightened ideas spread through the lower class and eventually spread to the upper class as well. Although rulers were influenced by the ideas of the enlightenment, the philosophy did not completely take over the style of ruling in Europe. Rulers were not ready to lose their power and their people were not all ready to radical change society. Before the French revolution, the world had trouble experiencing such a radical change. Without a guideline and example for change, the people of Europe…

Enlightened Absolutists were interested in true reform to the extent of of applying the principles of enlightenment to their kingdoms. The absolutists believed that going from the top to the bottom was the way to rule and the society didn’t need to rule with bureaucracy. These absolutists included Catherine II of Russia, Frederick II of Prussia, and Joseph ll of Austria. They followed the acronym of TRAP where, “T” stands for religious views, “R” for reform of institutions, “A” for absolutism,…

     Enlightened despotism is when there is an absolute ruler, in some cases a tyrant, who follows the principles of the Enlightenment through reforms. Permitting religious toleration, allowing freedom of the press and speech, and expanding education are a few main guidelines to being and enlightened despot. Napoleon I is often referred to as one of the greatest enlightened despots. Although, he did not follow the ideas of the enlightenment entirely, he managed his…

During the Enlightenment, everyone’s views were changing; well everyone, that is, who was not in power. Many monarchs and clergy members who had power were fighting this revolutionary movement so that they could maintain their power. Then, in the enemy countries of Russia and Prussia, came along two monarchs whose views and reforms almost changed everything. These rulers were Frederick II of Prussia and Catherine II of Russia and are now coined with the term “Enlightened Despots.” (Ellis,…