Although it is sometimes assumed that subjective utility is equivalent to self-interest (concern for getting one's own wants and needs met exclusive of the effects on others), these are not identical, because the notion of subjective utility allows that one might have preferences that are not purely motivated by self-interest.
Our American, "pro-life" Jesus has the right bumper stickers, t-shirts and listens to the right radio stations; but under the veneer of "christian" kindness is homophobic, xenophobic, capitalistic self-interest, concerned only for what makes "us", not "them" happy, comfortable and great.
The honest individual repays a loan not (merely) out of self-interest or concern for the well-being of the lender (who may be a "profligate debauchee" who will reap only harm from his possessions), but from a "regard to justice, and abhorrence of villainy and knavery" (T 3.2.1.9, 13).
The English Church did relatively little to influence or moderate Edward's behaviour during his reign, possibly because of the bishops' self-interest and concern for their own protection.
"What is arresting about Richard Wilkinson's work is his concern with a different argument – the self interest argument.
Self interest, of course.
Others are motivated by self interest.
It was enlightened economic self interest.
"Self interest will prevail.
And although the characters' concerns are narrow and explicitly gendered, Waldman's broad subject — the tricky boundary between self-sufficiency and self-interest — probably concerns men and women alike.
Now, let's reflect on how well these guys have done, where their shrewd "self-interest" is concerned.
