Full Idea
Spinoza names self-interest as the sole source of value.
Gist of Idea
Spinoza names self-interest as the sole source of value
Source
report of Baruch de Spinoza (The Ethics [1675]) by Matthew Stewart - The Courtier and the Heretic Ch.10
Book Reference
Stewart,Matthew: 'The Courtier and the Heretic' [Yale 2007], p.178
A Reaction
This looks like a very seventeenth century view. There was a steady move from cynicism through to the optimism of the eighteenth century. I just don't agree that self-interest is the "sole" source of value, though we should never underestimate it.
Related Idea
Idea 4183 Only self-love can motivate morality, but that also makes it worthless [Schopenhauer]