PHI107 Egoism, Altruism, and Social Contract

Ethical Egoism

Holds that it is good for people to pursue their own self interest.

Descriptive Egoism

Holds that people are basically self-centered and they primarily pursue their own self-interest.

Altruism

Behavior oriented toward the wellbeing of others

Effective Altruism

A philosophy and social movement that uses evidence and reason to determine the most effective ways to improve the world.

• Heart (altruism) → Motivation to care for others and improve their lives.

• Head (effectiveness) → Commitment to using logic and data as a guide.

Pro Social Behaviors

Behaviors are not primarily self-interested and are motivated by basic concern for others.

Reciprocal Altruism

Holds that altruistic behavior is traded with others in a mutually beneficial exchange.

Weakness of Will

We sometimes will do things that we know aren’t in our self interest or are unable to do things we know are good. Also referred to as akrasia.

Paradox of Hedonism

When pursuing pleasure directly, we fail to obtain it. Pleasure occurs when we do not directly pursue it.

Individual Ethical Egoism

Maintains that an individual should exclusively act in their own interest.

Universal Ethical Egoism

Maintains that everyone should look for and seek only their best interests.

Enlightened Self Interest

The concept that by acting in ways that benefit others, you also end up benefiting yourself, often in the long run

Social Contract Theory

An agreement among individuals and their government that defines the rights and duties of each party. In exchange for surrendering some personal freedoms, citizens receive protection and security from the state.

Care Ethics

Emphasizes nurturing relationships while downplaying autonomy and individualism.

Subjective v Objective Egoism

Subjective egoism would be based on what you think, deciding what is good is based on you.

Objective egoism is more so of a fact, not based on your own personal feelings.

According to psychological egoists, why is altruistic behavior deemed self-serving?

Altruistic behavior aligns with individual self-interest

For John Rawls, someone under the "veil of ignorance" is in the…

Original Position

A social convention derived from bargaining as David Gauthier suggests fails to address…

fairness for the weak.

Ayn Rand believes that altruism is responsible for…

destroying civilization

According to Hobbes, what is the pre-political natural state of humanity called?

State of Nature

Who was Ayn Rand?

Defends egoism; she argues that altruist morality "holds that no man has the right to exist for his own sake"

laissez-faire capitalism

a form of capitalism with minimal government regulation or intervention; idea when profit mode is absent, people will not work