Are Human Beings Inherently Selfish?

Summary

The video script challenges the notion of inherent human selfishness, arguing it's a capitalist construct to justify self-interest and exploitation. It critiques the bourgeois ideology that individual success is paramount, highlighting history's collective achievements. The script calls for a collective movement to overcome societal decay and the illusion of freedom, advocating for a critical examination of the promoted selfishness narrative.

Takeaways

• 🧐 The capitalist system is built on the premise that humans are inherently selfish, a belief that has been perpetuated by various thinkers and philosophers throughout history.
• 🤔 The concept of 'homo economicus' and the idea of the 'superhuman' are examples of how selfishness has been theorized and linked to human nature.
• 🚫 The term 'selfishness' is not a neutral descriptor but a moral evaluation, suggesting that it cannot be applied to inherent behaviors but rather to choices made by capable actors.
• 💡 The bourgeoisie class is argued to be inherently selfish due to their drive to accumulate capital and exploit workers, which is a departure from the potential for selflessness.
• 📜 Marx and Engels criticized the bourgeoisie in the 'Communist Manifesto' for reducing all human interactions to self-interested calculations.
• 🌐 The bourgeoisie attempts to present personal interests as universal, aligning with societal values like freedom and equality, while promoting individualism in culture.
• 🌟 Human history and societal structures, such as language and the division of labor, show that cooperation and community have been key to human progress and success.
• 🌾 The Neolithic revolution and the establishment of settled civilizations demonstrate the benefits of collective effort over individual self-interest.
• 🏛 The rise of class societies and the ruling classes were more productive due to top-down planning and the motivation of workers, indicating that social structures can shape productivity.
• 🛣️ Capitalism, as the most advanced class society, has led to both incredible advancements and significant disparities, such as malnutrition amidst abundance and traffic congestion due to individual vehicle ownership.
• 💼 The capitalist order is criticized for promoting individualism to the point of isolation and materialism, which can lead to a decline in human spirit and societal well-being.
• 🔍 To overcome the limitations imposed by the capitalist system, individuals must engage in collective action and critically examine the narratives that perpetuate the idea of inherent selfishness.

Q & A

What is the central argument presented in the script regarding human nature and selfishness?

The script argues against the notion that human beings are inherently selfish. It suggests that the idea of inherent selfishness is a construct of the capitalist system, which uses this belief to justify and perpetuate self-interested behaviors, especially among the bourgeoisie.

How does the script relate the concept of 'homo economicus' to the idea of selfishness?

The script links the classical liberal concept of 'homo economicus' to the idea of selfishness by stating that this concept views humans as fundamentally self-interested actors in the economy, which aligns with the capitalist system's promotion of selfish behavior.

What historical figures or ideologies are mentioned in the script as having influenced the belief in human selfishness?

The script mentions early liberal political economists, 19th-century philosophers disillusioned with the Enlightenment, 20th-century Nobel Prize-winning liberals, and neopositivists as having contributed to the belief in human selfishness.

How does the script differentiate between necessary behaviors and moral evaluations of selfishness?

The script asserts that moral evaluations of selfishness cannot be made about inherently necessary behaviors. It argues that selfishness is a moral judgment that applies to an actor with the ability to make choices, not to behaviors that are biologically or instinctively determined.

What does the script suggest about the relationship between the bourgeoisie and the concept of selfishness?

The script suggests that the bourgeoisie, in their pursuit to accumulate capital and increase wealth, often prioritize self-interest and exhibit selfish behavior. It implies that true selflessness for a bourgeois would require giving up their class status.

How does the script connect the idea of selfishness to the broader social and economic systems?

The script connects selfishness to the social and economic systems by arguing that the capitalist system promotes and relies on selfish behavior for its functioning. It also suggests that the belief in selfishness serves as a foundational basis for the capitalist system of exploitation.

What historical evidence does the script provide to counter the idea that humans are inherently selfish?

The script points to the history of humanity, which shows that humans have often achieved success by working together as a community, rather than focusing solely on themselves. It also mentions the development of language and the Neolithic revolution as examples of collective achievements.

How does the script describe the impact of the capitalist system on modern society?

The script describes the capitalist system as leading to a period of decline and both material and moral decay. It criticizes the system for its focus on individual wealth, which has resulted in social issues such as malnutrition, traffic congestion, and a reliance on personal debt.

What alternative perspective does the script offer to the belief in human selfishness?

The script offers the perspective that humans have a vast potential and a diverse range of experiences, which cannot be simplified into a single statement of inherent selfishness. It emphasizes the importance of community and cooperation in human history and success.

How does the script critique the portrayal of the ideal individual in capitalist society?

The script critiques the portrayal of the ideal individual in capitalist society as one centered around individuality and self-interest. It argues that this culture isolates individuals and leads to a decline in the human spirit, rather than fostering true individuality.

What solution does the script propose to overcome the limitations imposed by the capitalist system?

The script proposes that individuals must engage in a collective, unchanging movement or a large-scale uprising to overcome the limitations imposed by the capitalist system. It emphasizes the need to critically examine and challenge the promoted belief in human selfishness.

Outlines

00:00

🧐 The Myth of Inherent Human Selfishness

This paragraph explores the notion of human selfishness as a foundational belief in capitalist societies, arguing that various intellectuals have historically supported this idea to justify self-interested behavior. It challenges the notion that selfishness is inherent, suggesting instead that it is a moral judgment applied to actions that could be otherwise. The paragraph also critiques the bourgeois class for perpetuating the idea of selfishness to maintain their status and wealth, while highlighting the potential for selflessness and communal success throughout history.

05:02

🌾 The Agricultural Revolution and the Birth of Class Societies

The second paragraph delves into the impact of the Neolithic Revolution, which allowed for the surplus production of food and the establishment of permanent settlements. This led to the accumulation of wealth and the emergence of class societies with ruling and oppressed classes. It discusses how these societies were more productive but also led to inequality. The paragraph further contrasts the current state of capitalist society, which despite its ability to produce abundantly, still faces issues like malnutrition and inefficient use of resources, with historical examples of societal advancement and the potential downsides of individualistic pursuits.

10:05

🔍 Breaking Free from the Illusion of Selfishness

The final paragraph emphasizes the need for individuals to recognize the influence of the social system on their lives and to challenge the prevailing belief in human selfishness promoted by capitalist ideologies. It calls for a collective movement to overcome the limitations imposed by the current social order and to critically reassess the narratives presented by media and popular culture. The paragraph encourages individuals to step out of their echo chambers and to engage in a broader, more critical examination of societal claims about human nature.

Keywords

💡Selfishness

Selfishness in the script is discussed as a moral evaluation, not an inherent trait. It's defined as prioritizing one's own interests over those of others. The script argues that the concept of selfishness is used by the capitalist system to justify self-interested behavior, particularly among the bourgeoisie class, as a natural human tendency. The script challenges this notion by suggesting that individuals have the capacity for selflessness, especially when not driven by the need to accumulate capital.

💡Capitalism

Capitalism is the economic system based on private ownership and the pursuit of profit, which the script suggests inherently encourages selfish behavior. It is depicted as a system that has shaped societal values and individual behaviors to align with the interests of the bourgeoisie. The script critiques capitalism for its focus on individual gain over collective well-being, leading to social and moral decay.

💡Bourgeoisie

The bourgeoisie refers to the capitalist class that owns the means of production and seeks to accumulate wealth. In the script, it is argued that the bourgeoisie's self-interest is a driving force behind the perpetuation of selfishness as a societal norm. The bourgeoisie is also contrasted with the proletariat, or working class, which it exploits for profit.

💡Homo Economicus

Homo economicus is a term from classical liberal economic theory, representing the idea of humans as rational, self-interested actors in the market. The script uses this concept to illustrate how economic theories have historically reinforced the belief in human selfishness, shaping both economic policies and societal expectations.

💡Individualism

Individualism is the ideology that emphasizes the importance of the individual over the collective. The script discusses how capitalist societies have elevated individualism to the point where it has become a cultural norm, leading to a focus on personal gain and a neglect of communal values and cooperation.

💡Neoliberalism

Neoliberalism, though not explicitly mentioned, is implied through the discussion of recent decades' economic policies that prioritize market freedom and individual choice. The script critiques the outcomes of such policies, suggesting they have led to increased inequality and a justification for selfish behavior.

💡Class Struggle

Class struggle refers to the conflict between social classes, particularly the bourgeoisie and the proletariat. The script discusses how the emergence of class societies, marked by the accumulation of wealth and the division of labor, has led to structured inequality and the perpetuation of selfish behaviors among the ruling class.

💡Exploitation

Exploitation in the script is the practice of extracting value from workers without providing fair compensation, a key feature of capitalist systems. It is used to describe how the bourgeoisie maintains its wealth and power by taking advantage of the labor of the working class.

💡Collectivism

Collectivism is the opposite of individualism, emphasizing group goals and communal well-being over personal interests. The script suggests that historical examples of human progress, such as the development of language and the Neolithic revolution, were driven by collectivist behaviors and cooperation.

💡Isolation

Isolation in the script refers to the state of being separated from others, both physically and emotionally. It is presented as a consequence of capitalist consumer culture, where individuals find identity and fulfillment through material possessions rather than social connections, leading to a decline in human spirit and community.

💡Revolution

Revolution in the script is the idea of a radical change in the social and political order. It is discussed as a potential solution to the problems of capitalism and selfishness, challenging the status quo and advocating for a more equitable and cooperative society.

Highlights

The capitalist system has historically viewed human beings as inherently selfish, shaping theories and philosophies around this belief.

Selfishness is considered a moral evaluation, not an inherent behavior, as it requires the capacity for choice.

The bourgeoisie thesis that 'man is essentially selfish' aims to justify self-interested behavior and nullify moral judgment.

Selflessness is possible for individuals, but the capitalist drive for wealth often prioritizes self-interest, especially among the bourgeoisie class.

Marx and Engels in the Communist Manifesto described the bourgeoisie's egotistical calculation as drowning nobler human emotions.

The bourgeoisie argues that everyone, including themselves, is selfish, attempting to establish this as a societal norm without abandoning values like individual freedom and equality.

The ideal individual in capitalist society is constructed and idolized, with the belief in human selfishness serving as a foundational basis for the system of exploitation.

Human history reveals a vast potential and diverse range of experiences, contradicting the simplification of human nature into a single statement of selfishness.

Throughout history, individuals have often reached their full potential and achieved success by working together as a community, not solely focusing on themselves.

Language, a fundamental characteristic of humanity, could only have developed within a social context, indicating the importance of communal cooperation.

The Neolithic revolution allowed for the accumulation of wealth and the emergence of ruling and oppressed classes, marking the era of class societies.

Class societies were more productive than egalitarian structures due to top-down planning and implementation, leading to advancements like widespread irrigation systems.

Capitalism, as the most advanced form of class societies, has led to a period of decline with material and moral decay, comparable to historical falls of empires.

Bourgeois ideologues describe the current world as the best of all possible worlds, arguing that radical changes would worsen the situation.

Capitalism compels individuals to work longer hours while excluding many from productive employment, leading to isolation and a reliance on personal debt.

The capitalist order promotes consumption as a remedy for negativity, resulting in individuals living surrounded by commodities and isolated from humanity.

Human beings flourish through interaction with each other, and the isolation promoted by capitalism leads to a decline of the human spirit.

To overcome the limitations imposed by the capitalist system, individuals must engage in a collective, unchanging movement and critically examine the promoted notion of inherent selfishness.

Transcripts

Are human beings inherently selfish?

The capitalist system we live in,

which is built on individual private property,

has always answered yes to this question.

From the early thinkers of liberal political economy

to the philosophers of the 19th century who were disillusioned

with the Enlightenment and from the Nobel Prize winning liberals

of the 20th century to the neopositivists of the last three decades,

Many intellectuals have argued that human beings are fundamentally selfish

viewing selfishness as the core aspect of human nature.

These thinkers have built their theories and philosophical ideas

around this premise

from the classical liberal concept

of homo economicus to Nietzsche's idea of the "superhuman"

that influenced Nazi fascism and even the icons of today's pop culture.

Our society has shaped the idea of the individual based on this belief.

So much so that it has been claimed that selfishness is not only a characteristic of human beings,

but also of all living organisms.

It is said that genes and cells can also exhibit selfish behavior.

This is undoubtedly nonsense.

The word “selfishness” does not refer to a neutral state, but to a moral evaluation.

In this context, only a subject, i.e. an actor

who has the ability to act in different ways, who can make choices

about how to portray a character, may exhibit selfish or selfless behavior.

Moral evaluation cannot be made about inherently necessary behaviors.

The bourgeoisie thesis that "man is essentially selfish"

is put forward in order to nullify and advance

the moral evaluation of any self-interested behavior of man.

Because individuals have the freedom to choose whether or not to be selfish.

It is possible for a person to exhibit selflessness.

However, when it comes to bourgeois who aim to accumulate capital

and increase their wealth, they tend to prioritize self-interest.

This is often driven by competition with other members of the bourgeoisie,

as well as their reliance

on exploiting their workers, pushing them to work harder and longer.

A bourgeois can only truly be selfless if they give up their bourgeoisie status.

Selfishness is inherent in the existence of the bourgeois class.

This is why Marx and Engels said in the Communist Manifesto

that the bourgeoisie becoming the ruling class drowned the most heavenly ecstasies

of chivalrous enthusiasm in the icy water of egotistical calculation.

The bourgeoisie argues that everyone,

including themselves, is selfish and cannot act differently.

They cannot openly endorse selfishness as a privilege

and establish it as a societal norm without abandoning the values

that enabled their success, such as individual freedom and equality.

At least in a legal sense, they attempt to portray

their personal interests as the interests of every individual.

The social order we live in has constructed the ideal individual

and elevated them to the status of an idol.

Creating a culture centered around individuality.

Insomuch that today

the belief that man is selfish serves as a more foundational basis

for the capitalist system of exploitation than any other ideological belief.

However, the history of humanity, which is more than 2 million years old

and is still being discovered, reveals that human beings possess

a vast potential and a diverse range of experiences.

This complexity cannot be simplified into a single statement.

More importantly, throughout history, individuals

have often reached their full potential and achieved great success

by working together as a community rather than solely focusing on themselves.

This approach benefits everyone rather than just

the individual and does not harm others in the process.

This is why the liberal premise of pitting the individual and society

against each other as two hostile categories fails the test of history.

For instance, language, which is one of the most

fundamental characteristics that define us as human beings,

could only have developed within a social context.

And the emergence of language meant a common conception of the world.

A common system of thought.

A common culture that went far beyond the simple transmission of behaviors

for people who agreed on the same set of concepts in defining

objects, transferring experiences and planning the future.

This common culture was not just about giving the same name to the same objects.

In this way, the division of labor could become more complex and detailed.

It allows for accomplishing tasks that would be impossible

for a group of individuals who lack a shared plan and coordination.

With the advent of the Neolithic revolution.

Humans started domesticating useful animals and plants, particularly grains.

This newfound skill resulted in a significant advancement over time.

This enabled human societies to produce more than they needed on fertile land.

Going beyond mere survival and creating permanent, settled civilizations.

All of these civilizations were based on the fact that the staple foods

that people needed could be accumulated as stocks of grain and livestock's

permanent class inequality between individuals was made possible

by the accumulation of wealth as a result of a significant division

in society where a certain group started to accumulate wealth.

Ruling and oppressed classes emerged in some human societies.

This marked a distinct period in human history known as the era of class

societies.

These social structures were more productive than egalitarian structures

because the ruling few motivated the rest of society to work harder

than they normally would.

They achieved this

through top down planning and implementation.

Additionally, advancements like widespread irrigation

systems, improved human labor productivity.

Furthermore, walls were constructed to safeguard the accumulated wealth

in the first cities, and grand monumental buildings

were erected to worship the wealthy.

The society we live in, which is capitalist,

is the most advanced and final form of class societies.

We have the ability to produce sufficient food to feed billions of people.

Yet every day thousands of individuals, including children,

lose their lives due to health issues related to malnutrition.

We have incredibly fast transportation options available to us.

However, we currently rely on a one vehicle for each person approach,

which leads to cars being parked 95% of the time

and spending the majority of the remaining time stuck in traffic.

Each of us has handheld devices that grant us instant

access to all of humanity's knowledge.

However, instead of using these devices for thought provoking purposes,

we often use them to watch short videos to feel envious of the rich

who have never worked a day in their lives, or to immediately share

the rare, beautiful moments of our lives with others for their approval.

Humanity is currently experiencing the dominance of the capitalist class

and their self-centered pursuit of personal gain.

This focus on individual will wealth has far surpassed the potential benefits

it could bring.

As a result, society is facing a period

of decline and both material and moral decay.

This decline is comparable to the fall of Rome

or the state of France during the reign of Louis XVI.

On the other hand, according to bourgeois ideologues, the world we live in is often

described as the best of all possible worlds, or something very close to it.

These individuals continually argue that radical revolutionary changes

will inevitably make the situation worse.

They claim that not only potential future revolutions,

but also significant historical shifts like the French Revolution and the Great

October Revolution have brought more harm than benefit to humanity.

According to these ideologues, the only human drive is self-interest.

And the only motivation for this drive is the pursuit of individual happiness.

However, this perspective fails to explain why, even in the most ideal

circumstances, a majority of people are frequently unhappy.

It also doesn't account for the prevalence of conditions

such as depression, anxiety disorders and burnout.

At the same time that capitalism compels individuals to work longer hours,

it also excludes a growing number of people

from participating in productive employment.

Capitalism conditions individuals to consume increasingly relying on growing

amounts of personal debt in urban life where people are increasingly isolated.

Personal lives are shaped by the relationships formed with

the things they consume rather than with other individuals.

The capitalist order offers more consumption

as a remedy for all kinds of negativity and thus,

while poor individuals perceive their own lives as completely worthless.

Individuals with relative consumption opportunities.

Live lives surrounded by commodities and isolated from the rest of humanity.

Human beings flourish with each other.

This isolation does not lead to the development of individuality,

but rather to a gradual decline of the human spirit.

Today, we exist within a structured society

that plays a significant role in our education,

shaping and influencing our personality to align with its ongoing development.

If we want to escape this situation,

we must first acknowledge and embrace the fact that we are not truly free.

We do not independently make our own decisions.

Instead, we select what we prefer from the available options on the shelves.

Similarly, we tend to believe the truths presented to us, usually the ones

that cause the least amount of guilt or alleviate our fears the most.

The individual must break free and take its destiny into its own hands.

However, the problems do not originate from the individual,

but from the social system that gave rise to them.

Therefore, individuals cannot escape this situation alone.

They can only do so by engaging in a collective, unchanging movement.

A large scale uprising.

To overcome this one must step out of the echo

chamber created by the capitalist order.

Remove the narrow perspective imposed by the capitalist system

and critically examine the claim that mankind is selfish,

which the capitalist order constantly promotes through television, billboards,

misleading self-help advices and pseudoscientific anthropology books

which have no more scientific credibility than the self-help fallacies

they propagate.