171 “People who pursue their own intellectual interests for purely personal reasons are more likely to benefit the rest of the world than are people who try to act for the public good.”
The speaker considered that the pursuing of personal goal benefit better for the society than those try to act for the public good do. I disapprove.
Admittedly, some scientists who pursue their own interests do perform well. Such as Albert Einstein, the one of most successful scientist in 20th century. He is the man that addicted to his own interests. The Mass-Energy Equation is the production of his interests. Of course, it is a milestone of physics, which do benefit the society in nuke industry: the mass-energy equation inspires the application of nuclear which people used to have no idea with such energy.
Nonetheless, in some cases, the pursuing the single dream may lead to contrary result. Because it is hard to distinguish the aims whether good or harm. Hitler, the man of great willpower to achieve the German’s rejuvenation,is a typical example. The World War II is absolutely a catastrophe to the people all over the world, for its destruction to every engaged country and the worldwide economic depression, as a response to the fact that little people would accept that he benefited the society. That is to say, permit the people to working on their personal dream is to some extent dangerous.
Moreover, there is no evidence to indicate that the concentrating on the public affairs is less effective. On the contrast, the concentration will bring more efficiency. It is obviously that the people who pay attention to the society know what is really need to contribute the development of a country. For instance, A good mayor of a city do truly promote the society better than those care only the work of their realm by implement new practical policy, such as a new standard of welfare, or advocate an activity of energy conservation.
In sum, the speaker’s assertion is not proper, for excessively emphasis the achievement of individual goal. Actually, what makes improvement to the society is the combination of the single pursuing and the attempt to act for the public good. Neither of the two kinds of people is dispensable.