Rational egoism as a research subject in social and philosophical theories of the French materialists of the 18th century

The problem of “rational egoism” is relevant to modern society. The ethical aspect of the interaction of social subjects under the rules of the market economy expresses not only in the economic sphere. The relationship between the individual and the public is considered in detail in the context of ethical approach in the doctrines of the French materialists of the 18th century, who promoted the theory of “rational egoism”. According to d’Holbach and Helvetius, “self-interest properly understood”, or “rational egoism”, does not eliminate the ego as a basic moral principle, but this is egoism that is directly connected with the public interest.