Name that sociologist?

[Maudlin]

I've been trying to find some reference to this person for the longest time, so far unsuccessfully, so I thought I'd ask here. There's some rather well-read people on here, after all :)

Does anyone know the name of the person who formulated the principles of successful communities, where individuals sometimes instinctively acted against their own personal interest for the benefit of the whole group. These individuals, through the benefits of a healthier society, turned out to be better off than the ones who acted only for their own benefit.

I may be misrepresenting it a little, but that's what I remember.. Thanks in advance.

[roughsatori]

1. You may be referring to James Coleman

and his idea of "social capital." It is interesting and expectable that some conservative capitalists promote another theory and have a sociologist or two to back them up: "Acting selfishly helps society."

This is not only absurd but ironic in that many who promote the "greed is good" theory proclaim themselves as Christian (which is theoretically diametrically opposed to such a concept).