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The Fable of the Bees; Or, Private Vices, Public Benefits

By Bernard Mandeville
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Philosophy & Ethics

About This Book

A satirical fable and companion essays imagine a prosperous hive whose citizens behave like humans to argue that selfish behaviors and commercial vice can generate public prosperity. Through allegory, polemic essays, and dialogues the author examines origins of moral virtue, the mechanics of society, charity and charity schools, and legal and religious corruption, arguing that private self-interest and flawed institutions paradoxically sustain wealth and social order while criticizing simplistic moral judgments. The volume combines verse, philosophical inquiry, and a defensive vindication of its controversial claims.

About the Author

Mandeville, Bernard portrait

Bernard Mandeville

Bernard Mandeville was an 18th-century Dutch philosopher and satirist, best known for his work "The Fable of the Bees; Or, Private Vices, Public Benefits." In this provocative text, Mandeville argues that individual selfishness and vice can lead to societal benefits, challenging the moral assumptions of his time. His writings often blend humor with sharp social critique, exploring themes of human behavior, economics, and ethics. Mandeville's contributions to literature and philosophy have sparked discussions on the nature of morality and the role of self-interest in society, making him a significant figure in the development of modern thought.

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