Module 5: Egoism

Psychological egoism

The theory that the ultimate motivation for human actions is self-interest, either in the long-term or short-term.

Altruism

Direct desire to benefit others for their own sake, without any ulterior motive.

Strictly conscientious action

Action motivated by the thought or desire to do one’s duty for its own sake, rather than from any ulterior motive.

Argument from Strongest Desires

An argument that claims our actions are motivated by our ultimately strongest desires, suggesting all actions are self-interested, implausible as being motivated by our strongest desires ≠ actions that benefit our self-interest (e.g., religious/altruistic acts).

Argument from Expected Benefit

An argument that suggests whenever you do something, you expect to be better off, implying that you're always pursuing self-interest, is implausible as this argument begs the question: if you don’t expect your actions to benefit yourself, you’re not aiming to promote your self-interest.

Appeal to the Guilty Conscience

A suggestion that individuals act altruistically to alleviate guilt, arguing that such actions are ultimately self-serving, implausible as individuals concerned about whether their actions harm others are inherently acting from altruistic, unselfish perspectives.

Expanding the Realm of Self-Interest

The idea is that altruistic actions are ultimately motivated by self-interest, as they serve to avoid personal loss, while most moral actions for their child’s needs typically help someone else’s own well-being; this doesn’t show the person is motivated by self-interest.

Implications of Egoism Argument

If psychological egoism is true, then we cannot be altruistic, and thus we cannot be morally obligated to be altruistic.

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.

Psychological Egoism

The belief that every action performed by any human being is solely motivated by that person's own self-interest.

Altruism

The desire to benefit others for their own sake.

Ethical Egoism

The belief that actions are morally right if they promote the actor's self-interest.

Conscientious Action

Doing what you believe is required of you despite temptation to do otherwise.

Obligation under Ethical Egoism

If ethical egoism is true, individuals have a moral obligation to act in their own best interests.

Moral Relevance of Differences

The idea that not all differences warrant moral consideration; for example, skin color is a morally irrelevant difference.

Shafer-Landau's Objection

A criticism suggesting that ethical egoism could conflict with the rights of individuals to self-determination.

Self-Interest

The personal advantage or benefit one seeks in their actions.

Critical Thinking

The process of objectively analyzing and evaluating information to form a judgment.

'Ought Implies Can' Principle

The belief that moral obligations must be actions that are within one's capacity to perform.

Psychological Egoism

The belief that every action performed by a human being is solely motivated by that person's own self interest.

Ethical Egoism

The theory that actions are morally right if they promote an individual's self interest.

Altruism

The belief in or practice of selfless concern for the well-being of others.

Strictly Conscientious Action

Actions taken because they are believed to be morally required, regardless of personal gain.

Ought Implies Can

The principle that if one is morally obligated to do something, it must be possible for them to perform that action.

Schafer Landau

A philosopher who critiques psychological egoism and discusses ethical egoism.

Moral Obligation

A duty that one is bound to perform, often relating to the interests of others.

Self Interest

One's personal interest or advantage, which may motivate their actions.

Courageous Soldier Example

An example illustrating altruism in the act of sacrificing oneself to save others, challenging the claim of psychological egoism.

Moral Superiority

The belief that one's own interests and well-being are of greater importance than others'.

Politically Libertarian

Individuals who prioritize personal freedom and the right to self-determination.

Justified Difference in Treatment

A distinction made between individuals based on morally relevant characteristics or abilities.

Morally Irrelevant Difference

A distinction that has no moral bearing on how individuals should be treated.