is it bad to be motivated by self interest?

No...but excessive focus on self-interest is -- where there is little or no concern fore the welfare of others who arew suffereing. It's a balancing act, but when society becomes less civilized and shows less concern for public welfare due to misplaced priorities and governmental incompetence, then it's on a collision course with survival.

Witness the 9-11 WTC video footage that will circulate on the multiple tragedies commited when WTC fell and Hurricane Katrina laid waste to N.O LA..and when the Fed gov't and State of LA abandoned their responsibility to save the people of NO, LA. That is not about narcissism. It's far beyond that.

It's about a greater awareness, I think, about the disparity and distribution of wealth and resources. The world is not more materialsitic than it was in the past...but the rich are far richer than ever and the world in total (and specifcially the poor) are far more informed about that difference.

And ..of course.. add to that the seeming lack of overall concern from the world for the flooding of millions in Pakistan. The majority of response by the world's 'richer' countries to the suffering of this poor country...has been underwhelming. Is that about self-interest or narcissism? Or some is it some other anti-social behavior? Is it about Pakistan's own anarchy and lack of ability to respond to the aid that has been offered?

The absence of being motivated by self interest is perverted.

EVERYONE shoud be motivated by self interest!!!!!





David