In the book The Fable of the Bees by Bernard Mandeville
, the author presents a provocative argument that private vices, such as greed and self-interest, ultimately drive economic prosperity and social progress.
Through his satirical poem The Grumbling Hive and its accompanying essays, Mandeville challenges the notion that moral virtue leads to societal well-being. Instead, he suggests that ambition and competition, though often seen as corrupt, are essential for a thriving economy.
His ideas, controversial at the time, later influenced economic thought, including Adam Smith’s concept of the "invisible hand," making this work a foundational text in social philosophy.
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- The Fable of the Bees Or, Private Vices, Public Benefits
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(Public Domain)In-person, 7–11 September 2026, Warbrook House, Hampshire, UK
We are living and working in conditions of uncertainty, complexity, and rapid change. Many leadership approaches still rely on control, expertise, and tools that no longer fit the realities people face.
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