An argument can be made that all actions people take are for their own self-interest. Even things like helping the community is done for reciprocal benefits for yourself plus the general increase in respect.
Another point is that if all people just act for their own self-interest, they will have a better life themselves, and if everyone does the same, some sort of proper balance will be achieved.
I have been having some occasional discussions with my friends over this. I personally disagree, but would love to hear what others have to say. Feel free to discuss!
Hmmm, I don’t know… I think that kind of “balance” you talk about is obtained rather at that middle point between the individual and the collective interest.
I think we all act to a greater or lesser extent according to our interests, the problem I see is that we have this idea that life is a zero-sum game, where others must fail for one to succeed, that’s where the conflict comes from, because not everyone can win, there are more losers than winners. A cure for this mentality, I believe, is precisely to think about the collective interest understanding it as “what benefits my community also benefits me”, it is to achieve individual benefit through collective work and cooperation, if everyone wins I also win.