In Defense of Selfishness Summary

Is self-sacrifice truly noble, or does it erode your sense of self and morality? In In Defense of Selfishness, Peter Schwartz argues for a radical shift in how we think about altruism and personal values.

1. Altruism Promotes Self-Sacrifice Against Personal Interest

Altruism, rather than being the moral standard it is often assumed to be, encourages people to prioritize the needs of others above their own well-being. Schwartz contends that this leads to self-subordination, where individuals are pressured to give up their goals, wealth, and happiness for the "greater good."

The altruistic doctrine does not stop at simple helpfulness or kindness but extends into a duty to sacrifice one’s possessions and even one’s life if required. Schwartz argues that this creates an unchosen moral debt that individuals are compelled to pay, even if doing so contradicts their own desires or rational interests.

An example of self-sacrifice by design is seen in instances like government-initiated resource redistribution policies. For instance, taxpayers might fund social programs that they don't personally support, effectively sacrificing their earnings to fulfill collective needs. These practices align with altruism’s belief that resources belong to the group instead of individuals.

Examples

• A person donating a vital organ to a stranger, even if it might endanger their health.
• Taxpayers funding public initiatives they will never use (e.g., a park instead of a shopping mall they might prefer).
• Professionals working extra hours unpaid because they feel they owe it to their colleagues.

2. The Myth of "Public Interest" as a Foundation for Altruism

Schwartz challenges the conventional wisdom that acting in the public interest justifies personal sacrifice. He argues that the "public interest" does not exist as an objective, uniform standard since society comprises individuals with vastly different desires and values.

Public policies purported to serve the collective often require some to pay for or suffer consequences of decisions they would not choose, such as funding projects or adhering to laws that don’t benefit them. This mindset views individual preferences as subordinate to the collective will.

Examples Schwartz gives include policies like state-funded transportation or health care, which ostensibly help the majority but force others to surrender their financial freedom. Instead of promoting fairness, these policies curtail individual rights, masking dependency and servitude as altruistic acts.

Examples

• Government projects like public parks funded through taxpayer money without universal support.
• Subordination under socialist regimes that prioritize collective security over individual freedoms.
• Agricultural subsidies paid by taxpayers, benefitting only select farming sectors.

3. Altruism Subverts Individual Thinking

Schwartz explains how altruism not only dictates how individuals act but also influences how they think and what they believe. A life lived entirely selflessly suppresses personal convictions and demands agreement with group opinions, eroding individual reasoning and critical thinking.

This thought control extends into morality itself. People in altruistic societies are told what is "right" or "wrong," often without room for debate. The danger lies in the normalization of conformity and obedience, where individuals forgo their identity for the group.

Schwartz points to extremist and authoritarian regimes as examples of unchecked altruistic doctrines. These societies enable dangerous outcomes like brainwashing or even self-sacrifice on the level of suicide bombers, glorified for their supposed loyalty to the collective.

Examples

• The Nazi doctrine, requiring absolute obedience to Hitler’s ideology.
• The rationale behind suicide bombers sacrificing their lives for a collective cause.
• Education systems that enforce collective ideologies at the expense of independent inquiry.

4. Misunderstanding of Selfishness Fuels Altruism's Popularity

Selfishness has suffered from decades of misrepresentation, commonly equated with greed, cruelty, or immorality. Schwartz redefines selfishness as rational self-interest, guided by principles and logic, rather than primal, destructive desires.

He argues that true selfishness involves assessing what genuinely benefits oneself while respecting others’ autonomy. It prevents exploitation and encourages fairness by relying on voluntary exchanges. For example, selfishness supports meaningful relationships over coerced or one-sided ones, such as choosing love based on deep personal affection, not pity or obligation.

Schwartz uses historical and philosophical ideas to clarify — Nietzsche’s impulsive, destructive selfishness versus a rational, value-based approach.

Examples

• Trading goods in a market economy rather than stealing them.
• Genuine relationships built on mutual affection, not obligation.
• Actively pursuing personal growth without harming or exploiting others.

5. Rational Selfishness Leads to Responsible, Life-Affirming Choices

True selfishness emphasizes living responsibly and logically. Schwartz urges individuals to recognize life as their ultimate value and to act in ways that support survival and well-being over time. Selfishness is about assessing risks and acting accordingly.

For example, altruism might encourage donating a kidney to a stranger, but a rationally selfish person may choose to save that kidney for a relative who might need it in the future. Similarly, giving uncritically can leave one unable to help others or themselves later.

Schwartz argues that adopting this philosophy promotes a sustainable, life-affirming approach that benefits individuals and, by extension, society.

Examples

• Refusing dangerous charity actions that compromise personal health.
• Saving resources for family needs over strangers.
• Prioritizing financial security rather than impulsively donating everything.

6. Capitalism Flourishes Under Selfishness

Underpinning his defense of selfishness is an advocacy for capitalism. Schwartz argues that capitalism operates on voluntary exchange, ensuring that individuals trade value for value without coercion. As such, it thrives on rational selfishness and benefits both individuals and society.

Capitalism rewards innovation and productivity, as individuals work for their own prosperity, leading to wealth creation that can improve living standards. Unlike altruistic systems, capitalism does not rely on forced redistribution of wealth, thus preserving individual freedom and integrity.

By aligning incentives with rational self-interest, Schwartz sees capitalism as the system most suited to a flourishing, cooperative society.

Examples

• Entrepreneurs creating products people willingly pay for.
• Workers earning wages based on skill and contribution rather than redistribution.
• Private ownership of libraries, parks, or transport systems funded only by users.

7. Selfishness Upholds Freedom

For freedom to thrive, Schwartz asserts that individuals must stand as their own masters, unburdened by the control of a collective. In altruistic systems, the state or society dictates personal value and contributions, eroding freedom.

Schwartz ties this to America’s founding principles, which emphasized individual liberty and limited government. The preservation of these ideas depends on rejecting altruistic ideals that lead to conformism or authoritarianism.

Examples

• The United States Constitution guaranteeing individual rights over societal control.
• Independence of thought in capitalist economies versus collective planning under totalitarian regimes.
• Protection against laws or taxes that demand total servitude to collective "needs.”

8. Altruism Creates Dependence

One of Schwartz’s strongest critiques of altruism is its tendency to foster dependence. Those who receive the benefits of others' sacrifices are conditioned to rely on them, rather than cultivating self-reliance.

Welfare systems in altruistic societies often create this dependency. Over time, the societal structure contributes to paternalism rather than empowerment, stagnating both individuals and economies.

Examples

• Welfare recipients relying on monthly benefits without seeking job training.
• Overreliance on government-sponsored relief programs.
• Paternalistic charities that impose decisions on recipients rather than empowering them.

9. A Selfish Society Functions More Productively

Schwartz envisions a society where rational selfishness replaces altruism. Such a society would prioritize individual rights, innovation, and voluntary interaction over coercion. People would pursue fulfillment responsibly, contributing to progress without forced sacrifices.

This contrasts with altruistic societies, which often value equality over merit, suppressing productivity. Schwartz argues that celebrating differences while valuing fairness leads to genuine progress.

Examples

• Merit-focused educational systems rewarding achievements.
• Businesses thriving on competitive but fair practices.
• Independent thinkers driving technological or cultural breakthroughs.

Takeaways

1. Challenge collective biases: When confronted with an altruistic expectation, assess whether it aligns with your rational self-interest before acting.
2. Value reason in decision-making: Stay logical, focusing on long-term benefits for yourself and those close to you.
3. Recognize and uphold individual achievement: Celebrate personal or others’ accomplishments and contributions without guilt.