Learners relate enlightened self-interest to caring by discussing a quote from Alexis de Tocqueville about the American tradition of democracy.

The learner will:

• define enlightened self-interest. 
• discuss a quotation by Alexis de Tocqueville in relationship to enlightened self-interest and caring. 

Anticipatory Set:

Give examples of people doing good things for others that also benefit themselves. Examples:
Emily ran for student council president because she wanted to make her school a better place, and she wanted to try to change a school rule that didn't allow her to buy soda at school. As another example,
Chase volunteered to hand out T-shirts at the 5K race in town, and he got a free T-shirt.
Derrick cleaned up the science supplies after the dissection, and Ms Fouch gave him extra credit.
Ask the students whether these students are showing caring or selfishness. Discuss.

• Explain to the learners that Alexis de Tocqueville visited the United States in the early 1830s and then wrote about his observations in Democracy in America (1835). Tocqueville wrote about a unique concept in U.S. democracy that has been called "enlightened self-interest."
• Read or display this quote from de Tocqueville: 
  "The Americans, on the contrary, are fond of explaining almost all the actions of their lives by the principle of interest rightly understood; they show with complacency how an enlightened regard for themselves constantly prompts them to assist each other, and inclines them willingly to sacrifice a portion of their time and property to the welfare of the state."
• Define enlightened self-interest for the learners as "to sacrifice time and resources to the benefit of the whole, which, in turn, benefits self." 
• Ask the learners to discuss how an unselfish act of caring could be viewed as a selfish act (if we care for others, they will care for us; caring for the common good benefits everyone, including ourselves; caring is personally rewarding, it makes us feel good; etc.).
• Have the learners share acts of kindness or caring they have done that have led to them receiving something unexpected in return -- either tangible or intangible.