Selfishness and Human Nature

[FRPLG]

I think we are down to semantics. By a strict definition we are not "selfish" but rather self-interested as you previously stated. I believe we act in our own self-interest. All actions come from a base level of self-interest. I guess selfishness is simply a specific implementation of self-interest.

[JoeRedskin]

Originally Posted by FRPLG

I think we are down to semantics. By a strict definition we are not "selfish" but rather self-interested as you previously stated. I believe we act in our own self-interest. All actions come from a base level of self-interest. I guess selfishness is simply a specific implementation of self-interest.

I agree with your break-down, but would suggest that, in the context discussing whether humans are innately selfish or not, it is important to be clear as to the definition of the word describing the behaviour being analyzed.