Chapter 1: Introduction to Egoism and Skepticism

Flashcards covering key vocabulary, concepts, and arguments related to skepticism, psychological egoism, and ethical egoism from the lecture notes.

Epistemology

The study of how we know, focusing on questions about knowledge and belief.

Skepticism (Epistemological position)

A position claiming that we cannot have knowledge about moral realities, denying an objective foundation for morality.

Ring of Gyges

A story from Plato's Republic about a shepherd who finds a ring that grants invisibility, used to debate whether a just person would remain just without consequences.

Glaucon's view of morality

Morality is merely a means to an end, used to avoid punishment or receive reward.

Socrates' view of morality

Morality is an end in itself; we do the right thing because it is the right thing to do.

Egoism

An ethical point of view founded on the belief that everyone acts only from the motive of self-interest.

Psychological Egoism

A descriptive psychological doctrine stating that human beings always act in a way they perceive to be in their own individual self-interest, and cannot act in any other way.

Altruism

Acting in the interest of others; being selfless.

Self-interest

Acting in one's own interest.

Selfishness

Acting in one's own interest in such a way that the interests of others are ignored in circumstances where they should not be ignored.

Ethical Egoism

A normative ethical approach prescribing that human beings should always act in a way they perceive to be in their own individual, long-term self-interest.

Descriptive claim (e.g., Psychological Egoism)

A claim that explains what human behavior is actually like, stating a fact.

Normative claim (e.g., Ethical Egoism)

A claim that prescribes how human beings should or ought to behave.

Inconsistent Outcomes Argument

A challenge to Ethical Egoism, arguing that if everyone pursues their self-interest, interests will conflict, leading to chaos unless altruistic rules are adopted, which contradicts egoism.

Publicity Argument

A challenge to Ethical Egoism, stating that a moral theory should be publicized for the common good, but an egoist would benefit more by keeping their theory secret and promoting altruism in others.

Paradox Problem (Ethical Egoism)

A challenge arguing that while personal happiness (a goal of egoism) requires healthy relationships, these relationships demand selfless acts, creating a contradiction for an egoist.

Problem of Future Generations (Ethical Egoism)

A challenge suggesting ethical egoism dictates against acting for the benefit of future generations, as such actions do not provide direct personal benefit to the individual in their lifetime.

Universality (Ethical Theories)

A requirement that all ethical theories should apply equally to everyone; a concept difficult for ethical egoism to uphold if it advocates for different rules for oneself versus others.