It is in my best self-interest to make you happy.
That is why the “Chicago” economists are right about using the market to determine price and price to allocate resources. Scale seems to be key to many questions, from physics to economics, and so it is here to some extent. Amongst friends and family, small businesses, etc., the invisible hand is visible and things can be different. But altruism seems to work both with strangers and family, assuming you get what you give. Just as in the computer game of life, it is necessary to hit back, to tit for tat, so to speak, when confronted with those who are not altruistic.
But back to the quandary. People will say your dog only loves you because you feed it, as though that lessens the love. Imagine saying that about your children. If you didn’t feed them, they would be right not to love you – it is just the way of things. So the feeding is an expression of love, and love is returned. Altruistic or selfish? Both – which is awesome.
Happy American Thanksgiving.
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