Proper Selfishness is an optimistic philosophy because it believes that we are ultimately decent people. But much of life is a self-fulfilling prophecy. If you think the worst of people and show it, they will often prove you right. If the systems we design are based on the principle that people cannot be trusted, then those people won't bother to be trustworthy. On the other hand, if you believe that most people are capable and can be relied upon, they will often live up to your expectations.
Optimists are always prey to disappointment, but life without hope is dismal.
Journey with The Anatomy of Fire and Modern Management Hits Oz. . . . A former executive of Shell Oil and a professor of The London Business School, he is the author of six best-selling management books.