Self-interest can motivate human action in both positive and negative ways. Enlightened self-interest considers how one's actions can benefit both themselves and others, while unenlightened self-interest focuses only on selfish gains without regard for negative impacts. Some historical innovators like Samuel Langley were primarily motivated by self-interest in fame and recognition rather than helping humanity, though the Wright brothers' self-interest in creating the first airplane did ultimately provide decades of benefits. During World War II, appealing to self-interest was used to encourage survival and ethical behavior in engineers.

1. TOPIC
Self Interest
motivating human action
Presentation By,
Vaishnav Raj

6.  Definition:-
• Enlighted Self Interest:
Enlighted self interest is away to create good
for self and good for all at the same time, including
team mates, bosses, customers and organization.
Contributors think in enlightened self interest.
• Unenlightened Self Interest:
In unenlightened self interest most or all persons
act according to their own selfishness. He/She is not
concerned about the impact (positive or negative) on
The other person so that the group suffers loss as a
result of conflict, decreased efficiency because of lack
of cooperation.

8. Self Interest In Innovation
● Samuel P. Langley’s desire to create the world’s first aircraft was
based primarily on his own self-interest rather than to improve
humanity.
● Langley was an astronomer and around the age of 50 he decided
that the only way to achieve his goal of becoming one of the great
figures in the history of science was to be the first to create the
“flying machine”.
● Eventually, the Wright brothers were able to accomplish this task
of creating the first flying machine in 1903. Even they were
motivated by the fortune and fame that came with the feat.
● In this case, the brothers’ self-interest benefited humanity for
decades to come.

9. AN APPEAL TO SELF INTEREST DURING
WORLD WAR II

10.  A healthy amount of self interst
is essential for survival but if it
increases, professional ego will
be the result.
As an Engineer
An engineer without self interest
and self esteem may easily tempted
to unethical behaviour.

12. End