This principle was originally stated by John Stuart Mill back in the Nineteenth century. It can be found in chapter 9 of our book on page 118. This principle claims that people, "seek to maximize their benefits and minimize their costs." This of course is in regards to the benefits and costs of a relationship, not in regards to anything else.
I find this principle meaningful because it really shows how selfish people can truly be. We mainly care about ourselves and our own personal well-being. What is sad is I also see myself doing this all the time when I look into meeting and making friends. It is extremely difficult to distance myself from my own feelings and just look into whether or not a new person is someone I'd enjoy spending time with. I guess this is a good thing because it kind of puts up a barrier between myself and those who could potentially hurt me.
~Tornn
1 comment:
I agree this is a depressing theory--one suggests that altruism doesn't exist. I do question the degree to which this theory works across different cultures. In cultures that emphasize the good of the group over the good of the individual (collectivist cultures), the theory may not be as applicable. Maximizing gains while minimizing costs seems like a very Western way to approach life and relationships with others.
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