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"همه چیز تحت تأثیر منافع است"

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Writer
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Quote meaning
The core idea here is fairly straightforward: people's actions are largely driven by their own self-interest. It's a bit like saying, "Everyone's got their own agenda." When you break it down, it's just about acknowledging that whether consciously or subconsciously, individuals tend to make choices that they believe will benefit them somehow—be it financially, emotionally, socially, or otherwise.

Historically, the concept of self-interest has been around forever, but it really got a lot of attention during the Enlightenment. Thinkers like Adam Smith talked about the “invisible hand” of the market, where individuals pursuing their own interests inadvertently benefit society as a whole. It’s a pretty old idea, but it’s still super relevant. Even in our everyday lives, you can see it play out all the time.

Take the workplace, for example. Imagine you're part of a team working on a big project. Everyone wants the project to succeed, right? But if you dig deeper, you might find that each team member has their own reasons for wanting it to succeed. Maybe Jane wants a promotion, Tom is looking for recognition, and Sam just wants to avoid working late nights. They’ve got different motivations, but the common goal aligns their interests.

So, how can you use this understanding of self-interest to your advantage? Start by figuring out what drives the people around you. If you know what they care about, you can frame your requests or suggestions in a way that appeals to their interests. Say you want your roommate to help clean the apartment. Instead of just asking for help, you might say, “Hey, if we tidy up, we can invite friends over this weekend for a movie night. What do you think?” By aligning the task with something they care about, you’re more likely to get their cooperation.

Here’s a relatable scenario: Think about a time when you were trying to get a group of friends to decide on a place to eat. It's always a bit of a negotiation, isn't it? One friend wants sushi because they've been craving it, another prefers somewhere with vegetarian options, and someone else is just trying to stick to a budget. If you know what each person is interested in, you can suggest a place that ticks all the boxes—maybe a sushi spot with a good veggie menu and decent prices. When everyone’s interests are considered, it’s easier to reach an agreement.

In essence, understanding that everything is governed by interest helps you navigate the complexities of human behavior. It makes it easier to influence, persuade, and collaborate effectively. So next time you’re in a tricky situation, just pause and think about what’s in it for the other person. You might be surprised at how much smoother things go when you appeal to their self-interest.

Hope this makes sense! It's a handy piece of wisdom that comes in handy more often than you’d think.
Related tags
Control Decision making Economics Governance Human behavior Interest Motivation Psychology Self-interest
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