Camille Peugny: "Egoism has triumphed in our societies"

Sociologist Camille Peugny contends that contemporary societies are defined not just by individualism, but by a more profound phenomenon he terms "the triumph of egoisms." This concept suggests a deliberate prioritization of self-interest, even at the expense of broader social well-being.

Peugny observes a growing trend where individuals act primarily to defend their own positions. Crucially, this occurs even when they recognize that such actions degrade the situation of other social groups, undermine social cohesion, and exacerbate inequalities. This conscious pursuit of personal gain, regardless of its negative externalities, is the core of his argument.

He specifically identifies the upper-middle classes as particularly adept at this form of egoism. According to Peugny, these groups are skilled at organizing themselves to preserve or even increase their advantages and those of their children. This strategic self-preservation, he implies, contributes significantly to the widening societal divides.