- Capitalism and Alternatives -

What 'self-interest' really hides

Everybody pursues his private interest and only his private interest; and serves thereby, without wanting or knowing it, the private interests of all, the general interests. The point is not that, with everyone pursuing his own private interest, the totality of private interests, that is the general interest, is attained. Rather, from the same abstract phrase the conclusion could be drawn that everybody mutually hampers the assertion of the interest of others, and that instead of a general affermation a general negation results from the bellum omnium contra omnes. The point is rather that the private interest is already a socially determined interest and can be attained only within the conditions set by society and with the means provided by society; that is to say, the private interest is bound to the reproduction of these conditions and means. It is the interest of private people; but its content, as well as the form and the means of realization, are given by societal conditions independent of all.

-Karl Marx, from the GRUNDRISSE (p. 74)

Follow Ups:

• societal conditions are independent of all? Frenchy September 27 1999 (8)
  • some kind of philistine adoration of money? Lark September 28 1999 (6)
    • An anarchist Frenchy September 28 1999 (5)
      • A Socialist Lark September 30 1999 (0)
      • Anarchists like diversity; not stupidity Farinata L'inferno September 28 1999 (3)
        • Anarchists like uniform diversity. Frenchy September 29 1999 (2)
          • You wont get diversity at McDonalds just uniformity and lies. Lark September 30 1999 (0)
          • You demonstrated nothing but your own ability to produce hot air. Farinata L'inferno September 29 1999 (0)
  • You tell me Samuel Day Fassbinder Citizens for Mustard Greens USA September 27 1999 (0)