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On Self-Interest

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 July 2009

Harold Demsetz
Harold Demsetz
Affiliation:
University of California, Los Angeles
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Summary

The doctrine of self-interest properly understood does not inspire great sacrifices, but every day it prompts some small ones; by itself it cannot make a man virtuous, but its discipline shapes a lot of orderly, temperate, moderate, careful, and self controlled citizens. If it does not lead to virtue, it establishes habits which unconsciously turn it that way.

Providence did not make mankind entirely free or completely enslaved. Providence has, in truth, drawn a predestined circle around each man beyond which he cannot pass; but within those vast limits man is strong and free, and so are peoples.

(Alexis de Tocqueville)
Type
Chapter
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From Economic Man to Economic System
Essays on Human Behavior and the Institutions of Capitalism
 , pp. 5 - 6
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2008

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  • On Self-Interest
  • Harold Demsetz, University of California, Los Angeles
  • Book: From Economic Man to Economic System
  • Online publication: 22 July 2009
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511510656.002
Available formats
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  • On Self-Interest
  • Harold Demsetz, University of California, Los Angeles
  • Book: From Economic Man to Economic System
  • Online publication: 22 July 2009
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511510656.002
Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • On Self-Interest
  • Harold Demsetz, University of California, Los Angeles
  • Book: From Economic Man to Economic System
  • Online publication: 22 July 2009
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511510656.002
Available formats
×