Chapter 8 - Ethical Egoism

Psychological egoism vs ethical egoism

Psychological egoism claims that humans’ ultimate motivation is self-interest; we always seek to benefit ourselves, while ethical egoism claims actions are morally right because they best benefit our own self-interest.

Argument from Paradigm Cases

A challenge to ethical egoism asserting that if a theory requires immoral actions to maximize self-interest, it cannot be true.

Self-Reliance Argument

An argument for ethical egoism stating that the best way to improve everyone's situation is for each to mind their own business and focus on their own needs, implausible as there is a middle ground that allows self-interest but demands self-sacrifice, especially if the sacrifice may offer great help to someone else at little cost to us (e.g., donating $10,000 for someone’s knee surgery if you make $10 million yearly).

Libertarian Argument

The view that moral duties to help others stem from either consent or reparations, which ethical egoism challenges by prioritizing self-interest instead. Similarly, moral duty may arise if a person needs our help and if it is especially easy to help them.

Egoism violates core moral beliefs

A challenge suggesting that if ethical egoism is true, widely recognized immoral actions can be considered moral if they benefit self-interest.

Egoism cannot allow for the existence of moral rights

A challenge positing that if ethical egoism is true, it undermines the concept of moral rights, allowing individuals to violate them for self-interest.

Egoism arbitrarily makes my interest all-important

A criticism of ethical egoism that asserts it improperly prioritizes one’s own interests over others.

Ethical theory

A system or framework that provides a basis for judging what is morally right or wrong, including ethical egoism.

Altruistic actions

Actions taken to benefit others, which may not serve one's own self-interest but are considered morally significant.