The greatest altruistic movement, possibly of all time, certainly of the 20th century is the 12 steps and traditions initiated by AA. Paradoxically the impetus for this altruism is in fact self preservation. The most selfless movement is created for the most selfish of reasons. If one truly wants to overcome drinking or addiction, one can only do so for themselves only. Thay can’t do it for spouses, children, judges or whatever else. However they can only do it by being helpful to others. Being selfish means having to be selfless.
All the above applies to capitalism in general as well. You must produce something that meets someone else’s needs, whether that’s a product, capital or labor, in order to ensure your own survival. In order to profit and thereby survive you must first ensure mutual benefit. If it isn’t mutually beneficial then transactions never take place. The transactional nature of capitalism is both cooperative as well as competitive. Far too much is made of the later and not enough about the former.
In capitalism everyone involving the transaction wins. The same as AA. Even those who do not get sober have as least learned of the true extent of alcoholism, from one who should know. Another alcoholic.
