Enlightened self-interest means that we must find a balance between giving to self and giving to others. The United States constitution is quite permissive, it states that we each have the right to pursue our own happiness as long as it does not interfere with the rights of others to pursue it. It doesn't say anything about needing to actively seek others' happiness. It assumes that we are each responsible for our own happiness. We are each responsible for our own happiness .
Responsibility follows control .
Since each person has more control over his or her own happiness than anyone else's, then each person has the greatest responsibility for his or her own happiness. This cycle repeats until both people become thoroughly frustrated. You and I may not exactly agree on what that balance is, but perhaps we can agree that both our own and others' happiness are worthy as potential ultimate concerns. Return to beginning 6. If each person in the world intelligently assumes responsibility for his or her own happiness, then the total amount of happiness in the world will be maximized.