He believed that the growth of a commercial society through the pursuit of individual self-interest could promote a self-sustaining progress.

The assumption of individual self-interest also applies to the acquisition of information.

The Invisible Hand for an economic mechanism that's supposed to turn individual self-interest into societal good.

Through it all, Sager has pursued his belief in the healing power of the free market, creating unity by appealing to individual self-interest.

What was it about Japan's history that limited the pursuit of individual self-interest and gave precedence to the collective community?

Its defining relationship is exchange motivated by individual self-interest, with prices crucial in signalling information, to which participants respond.

If they decide to look after their individual self-interests, some of them might try to befriend that invading army and betray the town.

For once, the city has transcended individual self-interest and gained at least the illusion of a collective expression.

Even if all members of a group would benefit if all cooperate, individual self-interest may not favor cooperation.

The ideological nature of social contracts means that they need not always correspond to individual self-interest.