In Tocqueville’s book about self-interest rightly understood, he addresses the ways that Americans do things for ourselves and for our communities. In this essay, I want to explain what Tocqueville meant by self-interest rightly understood, how it is still around today, and how simple sacrifices made by people can both be beneficial to themselves and for the “greater good” of their society.
Tocqueville talks about how Americans do small acts of kindness or sacrifice to help someone. This act is not only to help someone, but it is for their own self-interest because when someone does a small gesture for someone, usually but not always, they expect something back in return. The returned favor may not be right away, it may be way down the road…show more content… 8 par. 9). Tocqueville talks about how people want to do virtuous things but want what is best for themselves tool. I can understand that even in today’s world people are raised in many different ways. My upbringing taught me to do things for others and to treat others the way you wish to be treated. This is a great way to look at this entire definition of self-interest rightly understood being the same as treat others the way for want to be treated, but that is my view point. In my community, the people help each other out for the most part because it is morally the right thing to do, but after reading this passage I put into play that it in fact does have something to do with everyone’s personal interest. Working in customer service, I have paid for someone’s things because they didn’t have the full amount. I didn’t expect anything from these people but looking at it through the self-interest point, I guess I would want the same treatment from someone if I was ever in that situation. Call it good karma, but treating others the way you want to be treated is entirely based upon Tocqueville’s self-interest rightly understood. I try to do selfless acts and I don’t even realize every selfless thing I do somehow will benefit me so technically, it is in my own best interest. This doesn’t necessarily mean
