Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-06-14
Self.Enfcrest.

W. H. Malock in The Contemporary Review.
No action is possible unless prompted by some
form OF self-interest; indeed, selfinterest is but
another name for motive. Motives, however
are various, therefore selfinterest is of various
kinds. The commoner form is the desire for
fame, power or riches, and, except in a few
special cases, this desire is essential to the pro-
duction of any public benefcence. When the
benefcence Is confined to smaller circle, other
causes come into play. We have to deal with
the affection, with good nature, with family
pride and with class feeling; and sef-interest by
each OF these is conditioned in a certain way
Thus, In the case of family pride, it is merely
case OF extended egOtism-Of an egOtsm which
Is capable of being extended thus to certain
degree but to certain degree only. All this
present it will be enough if we consider public
benefcence Oply. Now, it will be found that
there are three classes of action which are of
good to the world at large and which are ap-
parent exceptions to the doctrine of
duction. to the search for knowledge,
and to the incubation of religious
| or moral goodness. And these are not apparent
exceptions only; to some extent they are real
ones The question is, to what extent? The
so we will let that pass. We will only touch
upon the artistic and the scientific motives.
Now, no one will for moment deny that there
is delight to the artist in the very fact Of pro-
ductiOn, and that there is delight to the man
of science in the very fact of discovery Indeed.
when the one is painting a great picture, or the
| other discovering new planet, there is moth
ing, probably, Of self-interest present to the
consciousness Of either. This, however, goes
| for little. Let US try an experiment. Let an
other artist claim the picture, let another astron-
omer claim the discovery Of the planet, and the
indignation of the injured parties will afford
| singular revelation to us. It will show US that
In each case, although at the time it was unsus-
pected there was self-interest working and CIV
ing life to the other motives. The artist feels
not only that great picture is being painted,
but he feels, SIT is that am painting IT," and
discovering this planet" Thus. some form of
self-interest is essential to all great Deeds and
the deeds are great In proportion to its charac-
ter and vitality
We shall find that, whereas the sef-interest
proper to art, science, or philosophy is con-
cerned merely with prestige, all other forms of
self-nterest are concerned with political power
with riches and with material elevation: and we
shall find corresponding difference in the social
results produced by these two classes Of motive
We shall find that the more abstract or as we
may call it the purer form, never produces re-
suits that are of direct popular benefit 1t pro-
duces discoveries but it does not produce in
ventions; it may lead to the understanding of
economic laws. but it will never lead to the
establishment Of any special trade or manu-
facture; It may produce great architect but it
will never produce a builder; it may lead men to
form theories of government, but it will never
produce an active and successful statesman.