Brian Tracy argues that all human behavior stems from selfishness, since we act to increase our own happiness. He separates rational selfishness, which benefits society, from short-sighted selfishness that damages everyone. The difference isn't the motive, but the outcome.
Aristotle once said that the ultimate aim of all of human action is the happiness of the individual. Everything you do is aimed at your own personal happiness. Now because only you can know what makes you happy, it means that you are inherently selfish or self centered. What else can it be? Everything we do is selfish in that we do it from the perspective of what gives us three things. First of all, what gives us pleasure or pain is a major factor. Freud once said that everything we do is based on the pleasure principle. To achieve pleasure or to avoid pain. Also, we do what gives us comfort versus discomfort. We always move toward what is more comfortable and away from what is uncomfortable. And finally, satisfaction versus dissatisfaction. This is the normal natural extension, selfishness. Selfishness is neither good nor bad. We're selfish in that we are unique, self centered human beings capable of making our own decisions and our own choices. Now the good side of selfishness is what is called rational selfishness. Rational selfishness is what you practice when you engage in behaviors that are good for you and not harmful to anyone else. Like for example, socially productive and helpful activities so that you can get more of the things that make you happy. That is an act of selfishness. Now the dark side of selfishness is when your selfishness is short sighted and indifferent to the well being of others. Like for example, engaging in behaviors that give you pleasure or satisfaction in the short term, but which lead to greater unhappiness and dissatisfaction in the long term, both for yourself and others. So there's nothing wrong with being selfish. Selfish is going to be either good or bad, but it's neutral. It only takes on a value depending upon how you display it in your life.
