Self-Interest

Self-Interest
Acting in the way that is most personally beneficial. Adam Smith, the father of modern economics, famously explained that it is possible to achieve the best economic benefit for all even when, and in fact because, individuals tend to act in their own self-interest.

MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto">Smith wrote, "It is not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer or the baker that we expect our dinner, but from their regard to their own self-interest." Smith's explanation of the invisible hand showed that through the self-interested actions of dozens, hundreds and even thousands of people, without any centralized planning, goods and services get created that benefit both producers and consumers.


Investment dictionary. . 2012.

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  • self-interest — UK US /ˌselfˈɪntrəst/ noun [U] ► a situation in which you consider the advantage to yourself when making decisions, and decide to do what is best for you: »be driven/motivated by self interest out of self interest »Some financial companies argue …   Financial and business terms

  • self-interest — 1640s, from SELF (Cf. self) + INTEREST (Cf. interest) (q.v.). [Self interest] is a doctrine not very lofty, but clear and sure. It does not seek to attain great objects; but it attains those it aims for without too much effort. ... [It] does not… …   Etymology dictionary

  • Self-interest — Self in ter*est, n. Private interest; the interest or advantage of one s self. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Self-interest — can refer to any of the following concepts:*Egoism *Selfishness *Ethical egoism *Psychological egoism *Individualism *Objectivist ethics *Hedonism *Epicureanism *Enlightened self interest *Indirect self interest …   Wikipedia

  • self-interest — noun uncount interest in yourself and how to gain advantages for yourself, often without considering other people: decisions motivated solely by self interest ╾ ,self interested adjective …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • self-interest — n [U] when you only care about what is best for you, and do not care about what is best for other people ▪ His offer was motivated solely by self interest. >self interested adj …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • self-interest — [self′in′trist, self′in′tər ist] n. 1. one s own interest or advantage 2. an exaggerated regard for this, esp. when at the expense of others …   English World dictionary

  • self-interest — ► NOUN ▪ one s personal interest or advantage, especially when pursued without regard for others. DERIVATIVES self interested adjective …   English terms dictionary

  • self-interest — noun ADJECTIVE ▪ enlightened, rational ▪ economic, material ▪ individual, national ▪ naked, pure …   Collocations dictionary

  • self-interest — n. 1) enlightened self interest 2) in one s own self interest * * * [ˌself ɪntrɪst] enlightenedself interest in one s own self interest …   Combinatory dictionary

  • self-interest — noun Date: 1649 1. a concern for one s own advantage and well being < acted out of self interest and fear > 2. one s own interest or advantage < self interest requires that we be generous in foreign aid > • self interested adjective • self… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

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