Psychological and Ethical Egoism (Blackboard)

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to psychological and ethical egoism based on lecture notes.

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.