Human beings are inherently selfish by nature, and everything they do in life is directed toward their own benefit. However, there are three levels of selfishness.
The first level is primitive selfishness. This is the lowest level, where a person acts in a straightforward and crude manner, taking away benefits from others. For instance, they might rudely push their way to the front of a line, refuse to yield the right of way, grab free food at an event, or sabotage colleagues at work. This type of selfishness is focused on the immediate gratification of one’s needs, often to the detriment of others.
The second level is calculated selfishness. This is a more complex level, where a person does something for others but expects proportional gratitude or reward in return. For example, when they help someone, they immediately demand something in return or subtly hint at a reward. This is also evident when someone engages in charity but insists their name be mentioned among the sponsors, aiming to showcase their generosity and boost their self-esteem.
The third level is charitable selfishness. This is the highest stage, where a person gives to others without expecting immediate gratitude or a direct reward. It resembles altruism, but it is still a form of selfishness because, even in this case, the person acts in their own interest. First, they feel virtuous, which enhances their self-esteem. Second, by improving society, they create a safer and more comfortable environment for themselves. The more polite and kind they are to others, the more pleasant their own life becomes.
I believe we should not be ashamed of our selfishness. On the contrary, it should be embraced and explained as a motivator for good deeds that benefit individuals themselves. The more good a person does, the more they receive in return—this fosters a society of rational selfishness, where everyone exchanges benefits and lives in a harmonious community.
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