The Role of Self-Interest in Altruism

The norm of self-interest is an ideological belief, resistant to refutation by the behavior we encounter in everyday life. If we believe that no one else acts altruistically, we are less likely to do it ourselves - a self-fulfilling prophecy. Rob Kaldulis structured Vivcaught trading so that 50% of the company's net revenue would go to charity but he did this because it gave him more of a purpose and thus greater fulfillment than he had had as a trader just making money for himself.