Self-interest maximization is folk psychology, not settled biology

Evidence

The currency (genes, money, status, a good conscience, etc.) may change, but the structure of the assumption remains the same. This common assumption is drawn from folk psychology (cf., Kitcher, 1985); yet, it can be viewed as merely one aspect of human nature compared with many other possible ethnopsychologies (Henrich et al., 2005; Lillard, 1998). Obviously, humans can be self-interested, greedy, brutal, and profoundly dishonest, but a language of biology couched in metaphors of genetic selfishness and altruism increases confusion between folk psychological and scientific thinking, especially for theories of mind. — Roderick M. Kramer, Geoffrey J. Leonardelli, Robert W. Livingston, Social Cognition, Social Identity, and…, 386 (#expands, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Rational self-interest calculation presupposes a defined identity; Self-interest assumptions in social science derive from folk psychology, not scientific necessity — Roderick M. Kramer, Geoffrey J. Leonardelli, Robert W. Livingston, Social Cognition, Social Identity, and…, 386

Broader Connections

• Self-interest assumptions in social science derive from folk psychology, not scientific necessity #expands (0.95) — Roderick M. Kramer, Geoffrey J. Leonardelli, Robert W. Livingston, Social Cognition, Social Identity, and…, 386