analyze the reasons why men work. The most fundamental reason for
working is in order to preserve one's life. This assured, the
individual is in a position to work in order to preserve the lives of
those who are near and dear to him. When the necessities of life have
been provided, work is commonly continued for the sake of acquiring
comforts or luxuries.

Under a well-regulated legal system these efforts of the individual
also benefit the community, but until he is able to support himself
and his family, the average individual does not consciously make the
public interest the chief end of his labors. However altruistic a man
may be, he will not be able to labor consistently in behalf of others,
unless he will thereby serve his own interests as well, or unless his
personal needs have already been met.

64. THE OLD WAY OF GETTING A LIVING.--The economic history of
eighteenth century England illustrates two rather distinct methods of
getting a living, one of which may be called the old, and the other
the new. Up to about the middle of the century, the masses of
Englishmen, in common with the people of other countries, got a very
poor living. Most common necessities were made in the home and for
purely family use. Shoes, clothing, tools, and similar articles were
produced laboriously and on a small scale. In comparison with
industrial conditions in the nineteenth century, there was at that
time little industrial coöperation [Footnote: By coöperation is here
meant simply the working together of different persons or groups of
persons. Coöperation in this sense is to be distinguished from
coöperation as discussed in Chapter XII.], little division of labor,
little suspicion that men were, in spite of hard work engaged in for
long hours, getting a very poor living. The trouble was, partly, that