"Socialism cannot work because human nature is inherently selfish."
The "human nature" argument against socialism is an unfalsifiable claim and a thought-terminating cliche. It's unscientific at best and capitalist propaganda at worst.
What is usually meant when the claim that "human nature is selfish" is made is that a person prioritizes their needs and wants.
Why of course! If humanity was not this way, would humanity, both the physical reality and the human condition, even exist?
In the context of the "human nature" argument, however, the connotation is that human inherently desire to trample and lord over others.
This ignores two crucial facts: a) human needs and wants are not driven by just the self, but with others to, and b) self interest is not domination.
Humans are indeed social animals, and they are motivated by social causes. Humans, when they wish to, can and do choose to help other humans. Where is this "selfishness" now?
Moreover, to be conscious of one's needs and wants is different than a desire of control over others; sometimes, they even work in opposition, and humanity is more often than not predisposed to their needs and wants, or at least a perception of them.
Finally, humanity is influenced by society. Most of us live in a capitalist economic system. It is no wonder that a capitalistic mindset evolves in the heart of society; that is what is meant by "the superstructure" in Marxist theory. It may even be said that this idea of "human nature" was created by the capitalist class to maintain their status because it paints capitalism as the only viable option. Simply put, the idea of "human nature" only draws data from a capitalist society and is thus biased towards a capitalistic ideology, or even possibly designed to serve the interests of the capitalist class.
The only way out is forward.
"Well, you're naïve. Read Animal Farm."
