The Nature of Man - Selfishness

The human individual, in the evolutionary process, considers his choices and selects that of which will be to his advantage. This does not mean that every choice is to his exclusive advantage but at least as much. The conduct of man is not determined by his will, but is established by his object of desire. (Adam Smith, The Wealth of Nations) Since it is only natural for man to act in self-interest for survival means, …

…best interest. People are, as it should be for means of survival, out for themselves. This makes them neither naturally good nor evil in respect to others, but simply selfish. This self-interest may, time to time, promote the interests of others, but this will always be inadvertently in the process of promoting one's own happiness, whether enlightened or not. The manner in which this selfishness is displayed is determined by the influences of one's environment.