That conception is a far cry from the normal evaluation of man by his comtemporaries. Truly man is so made but our industrial system does not now fully develop these abilities. There have been many who have guessed what the result would be if a large, intelligently led, enthusiastic organization should use the powers latent in all the individuals to a common end. This cannot be done by human beings except by the exploitation of the driving force fundamental in all of us, namely, selfishness.
Selfishness has a bad reputation but that is because of a narrow conception of what it really is.
The only necessary corollary to this principle to make it attractive, helpful and satisfying to all concerned is to make this selfishness intelligent. Here is a businessman who declares that selfishness stimulates people to be more active and to accomplish much. The companion idea is that if people do not work for themselves, their own interests or their own values, they will not accomplish much. Selfishness from this view is clearly a great blessing to the individual and society. J. F. Lincoln distinguishes between intelligent and unintelligent selfishness.