Definition: Enlightened Self-Interest

Doing something out of ‘self-interest’ but defining self-interest in a
broad enough and sufficiently long-term &/or sufficiently
consequential way that bears in mind societal impact.

Example: working to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is not
‘altruistic’ at all. It is based on the imperative to prevent a
tragic world for our offspring. It is based on the recognition that
if the conflict doesn’t get resolved, it will impact all of OUR lives
- and that if WE don’t take steps to end it – nobody will do it for us.
.

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  1. The Social Capitalist | Daniel Lubetzky said:

    [...] the lines of the term "enlightened self-interest" which we coined to highlight the imperative of citizens thinking long-term and holistically [...]

  2. Al Gore and "me" | Daniel Lubetzky said:

    [...] Al Gore spoke poignantly about the imperative of joining forces to rescue our planet.  If enlightened self-interest is to mean anything, it has to be that our personal well-being is dependent on the well-being of [...]

  3. brandon said:

    enlightened self -interest, an understanding that through your-SELF in harmony with the immutable laws, that what you give, you receive, thus you will be giving everything that you want.

  4. David Bowman said:

    1) “Everybody does better when everybody does better.”

    2) “individual interests are best served by mutual cooperation.”

    3) “…a shared sense of responsibility.”

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