The Concept of Self-Interest - Term Paper Example

The Concept of Self-interest The concept of self-interest is created based on assumption that human nature tends to benefit from every action they undertake. Adam Smith takes the position that action taken by a person in beneficial of the other is aimed at benefiting the person. However, the religious perspective on self-interest is dissimilar to the theory. From a religious point of view, self-interest is described as selfish and a person should not be self-interested. Regardless of the position, Adam Smith points out that the action of a person aimed as moral involuntarily aids the person offering the action. The paper will analyze the concept of self-interest from the position of Adam Smith, Chinese Confucianism and Christianity. Adam Smith The human nature is created in a way that every action benefits the self-conscious. The action by a person either good or bad is made in regards to the wants of a person. In an argument by Marilynn (2001) the relationship between the human nature and one’s actions is based on the benefits one may achieve. The author further asserts that human nature acts in response to the human needs (Marilynn, 2001). For this reason, self-interest in inevitable. The creation of self-interest is involuntary to human nature. Moreover, the relationship between self-interest and human nature is created minus ant regards of morality and ethics. The moral obligation of human beings does not go beyond the altering of their internal needs. Marilynn (2001) is of the assumption that the moral obligation of human beings if mostly influenced by the requirement of the society. Consequently, people tend to act as required by the people. This requirements can, however, be altered by personal needs. For this reason, it is an accurate assertion that self-interest is an involuntary creation of the human mind to suit personal needs. Response from the Christian Student As a creation of God, a person has the ability to control their perception of self-interest. The ability of a person to act may be influenced by their personal needs but a person can influence their needs. In an argument by Voert, Felling& Peters (1994) human beings are created with power and ability to control their ability to create wants and needs. For this reason, self-interest is a person creation that can be controlled if a person wants to. From the Christian perspective, self-interest is selfish and a creation to justify immorality and being unethical. Moreover, Christians are required to act as required by the creator. This requirement makes self-interest not a requirement or a need. In addition, self-interest can be shunned by adhering to the Christian teachings on morality and human requirements. Adam Smith The perception from the Christian view does include the consideration of the selfness nature of human beings. Regardless of the fact that Christianity requires people to act as required by the scriptures, the human nature influences the action and deeds of a person. In addition, the human nature acts as from self-interest. From the argument, it is accurate assertion that the influence from religion does not surpass the human needs to act from a specific way. In addition, religion only creates a way that shapes the behavior of a person but not their real internal intent and perception. The role of religion only creates a way that people believe that they are required to act, but the human nature has its own requirement (Marilynn, 2001). Response from the Chinese student As stated by the Confucianism ethics, the action of a person can only be judged by results and their intent. In addition, the judgment is not done from an earthly perspective but from supernatural beings. From this argument, it is an accurate assumption that self-interest is an action based on greed and selfish interests. For this reason, self-interests is not a required behavior from a person. In addition, the perception of the supernatural beings should be shared by the human race. In an argument by Van Norden(2001) the Confucianism provisions are based on a neutral and accurate requirements from human beings. The author further asserts that Confucianism specifically states disapproval of self-interest (Van Norden, 2001). The concept insists on the moral personal responsibility as a way of life. Moral personal responsibility does to depict self-interest as a mandatory requirement of the human nature. Consequently, a person should shun the need and greed to perceive self-interest as a mandatory requirement. Adam Smith The role of the traditional Chinese beliefs are similar to the provisions of religions. The teachings are based on the moral requirement of a specific community. For this reason, the perception of self-interest from the Confucianism theory does not apply to the universal perception of self-interest. This makes the theory not accurate and not reliable. Marilynn (2001) is of the assumption that the relationship between the ancient traditional teachings and the perception self-interest is only based on the beliefs based on religious provisions. Similar to Christianity, the teachings do not address the human nature need to develop its own needs and wants. The mentality and nature of human beings cannot be diluted by morality or religious requirements. Human nature provides a greater way that human beings develop the technique to survive or fit in the society. This is only possible through self-interest. Through self-interest a person is bale to address their personal needs. In addition, the concept in involuntary. For this reason, people tend to be self-interested even without their own knowledge. From this argument, one may rule out the influence of selfishness and greed as creators of self-interest. The mandatory needs and wants of human nature makes human subjects of self-interest. This surpasses the requirements of religion and morality. However, morality and religion shapes the way people develop needs and wants. For instance, religion creates a mechanism that minimizes the ability of a person to commit crime or lie. On many occasions, lying is perceived as a cause of self-interest. In addition, the ability of a person to lie is influenced by their morality and religious affiliations. Regardless of these factors, self-interest is involuntary and mandatory survival tool (Marilynn, 2001). Response from the Christian student The assumption that self-interest is involuntary goes against the argument on the importance caring for other people. It is a general argument that human nature is caring and not selfish. For this reason, people tend to care and provide help for. Regardless of the opinion that this requirements is influenced by religion and morality, the human nature has an involuntary need to care for other people (Voert, Felling& Peters, 1994). Response from the Chinese student The teachings from the Confucianism also depict human beings as caring. For this reason, human beings develop stable and caring with other human beings. Consequently, this is against the assertions of self-interests. A person acting under the influence of self-interest does not display affection or care towards other people. Van Norden (2001) points out that self-interest does not include the consideration of the need of other people. Adam Smith The actions of a person towards another are influenced by the assumptions that they benefit from their actions. For instance, if a person lies to cover up another person, the person must be of a specific interest to them. In addition, people mostly prefer to help a person they have a relationship with or a person that interest them. Consequently, self-interest also influences the obligation by a person to care for another person (Marilynn, 2001). Moreover, this need is created involuntarily in support of personal needs. From the argument presented, it is an accurate assumption that the concept of self-interest is mandatory and involuntary. References Marilynn, B. (2001).Individual Self, Rational Self, and Collective Self.London: Psychology Press. Van Norden, B. (2001). Confucius and the Analects: New Essays. New York: Oxford University Press. Voert, M., Felling, A. & Peters, J. (1994). The Effect of Religion on Self-Interest Morality. Review of Religious Research, 35, (4): 302-323. Read More