"he Wealth of Nations,†Adam Smith described it this way:
“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 interest.â€
Nothing about fairness.
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From the Fertile Crescent, around 9000 BC, till the 18th century Enlightenment
Mankind despite his warts, exhibited a powerful spiritual sense as exemplified by
the Art he produced.
The Enlightenment, which ushered in Capitalism alongside, changed that dynamic
forever as betterment and its materialism, became and remains the focus
of culture/society. As such, agree that self-interest is a major component
Nevertheless in the long run principle will always best narrow self-interest.