Eduqas Alevel RS Ethics 1: C Ethical egoism

What is an ego

A persons sense of self esteem or self importance, it comes from the latin word for I

What is altruism

A selfless concern for the well being of others

What is normative ethics

The debates that arose when ethical theories are confided. It is the side of ethics action where we look at how one is ought to act

What does Prichard say about duty

Duty is not really duty unless it is done for duty’s sake ‘Prichards central argument is this - if justice is advocate on the grounds that is advantageous to the person, it is thereby reduced to a form of self interest.’

What is ethical egoism

The normative agents focused view that all action ought to be motivated by self interest, The theory that actions are morally right just because they promote one's self-interest

What are the two types of egoism

psychological egoism and ethical egoism

What is psychological egoism

The descriptive view that all human action is motivated by self interest. ‘Some scorn morality. They argue that we always act for our own sake, in our own self interest or what we perceive to be self interest.’

What is ethical egoism and how is it different to psychological egoism

The normative view that holds that all action ought to be motivated by self interest such as a different egoism, ethical signpost is that we ought to act self interestedly (Cave) Ethical egoism is not connected to the truth of psychological egoism (driver)

Are ethical egoism and psychological egoism the same

No, we say that we always act out of self interest (psychological) is not the same as saying we ought to act out of self interest (ethical). Ethical egoism is then a normative agent focused ethics (what a person ought to do) that is based on self interest as opposed to altruism and is directive by which you should be guided.

What is an example of ethical egoism

They should consider the consequences of their actions if a particular action would create a beneficial consequence for the moral agent then this can be considered ethically good.

- if a student was faced with the moral dilemma of telling truth or lying to a teacher about a missed piece of work, ethical egoism would guide the student to do the action whose consequences are in best interests of the student. Psychological egoism would say what is your duty, telling the truth.

What does ethical egoism mean for altruism

Altruism = an ethical principle that holds the right ad wrong of a moral agents actions depend on whether the consequences of their actions have a positive or negative impact on other individuals regardless of the consequences of the moral agent.

- It goes against altruism as altruism is all bout putting the well being of others first as the driving force. When deciding whether a potential sacrifice our life by running into a burning building to save a group of people altruism would say we should even if it means we wouldn't survive, saving the trapped people is more important (more psychological than ethical)

- Auguste Comte's says atheism is as living for the sake of others

what is the short term downfall for ethical egoism

does not necessarily always entail the moral agent pursing the short term self interest. e.g I will Miss my lectures at uni because I prefer lying in bed. Not necessary always entail the moral agent pursuing short term self interests

what is the long term benefit for ethical egoism

- ethical egoisms need to also consider long term self interests because the fulfilment of short term desires may prove more detrimental to the self e.g I went out partying and failed my a-levels now I have a poorly paid job

- Therefore, fleeting pleasures take a back seat to longer term aims that benefit the moral agent. As James Rachels says "ethical egoism endorses selfishness but it does not endorse foolishness"

Who is Max Stirner?

a religious ethical speaker who lived 1806 to 1856. Stirner identifies the self as that which is radically unique to him. It is impossible for the self to be good or are universal concepts but the self is that which cannot be categorised under any universal.

what does max stirner thing about ethical egoism

Stirner argued that ideologies beyond the true self never lead to true self-interest and true freedom. An ethical egoist has a clear idea of what the self 'is' and only then is free to act in a self-interested and For Stirner, humans are driven by egoism in the sense that they are self-interested, lack morality and want total personal autonomy. Individuals, he argues, should act in any way they see fit without any restrictions being imposed on them. As he puts it 'I am everything to myself and I do everything on my own account'

what are Stirner's stages of development

1. the realistic stage of childhood in which our behaviour is controlled by outside forces such as our parents. Freedom from these external constraints is achieved with what Stirner calls the 'self discovery of mind' as children will use the willpower and cunningness to outwit our parents, we must do the same.

2. the idealist stage of youth, however contains new internal sources of constraint as individuals become more enslaved, this time to the forces of conscience and reason

3. the egoistic stage of adulthood, only egoism do individuals escape both material (external) and spiritual (internal) constrains, learning to value their personal satisfaction above everything

what does Stirner say Einzige is

This is the 'delusion of the past and the true nature of the self' we can here see that Stirner seems to be rejecting the idea of psychological egoism, saying that although we may seem to be acting in a self interest way, we are in fact constrained or enslaved by outward and inward forces, whether they be religion, conscience or duty.

what is einzige

ego

What is Eigenwelt?

the experience of experience itself; the way you think and feel when you observe yourself having experiences

what is Eigenheit

in order to have true freedom and therefore true self interest one must be free from the aforementioned obligations and duties. Stirner called this owness and upon relishing this the agent can now act in a truly egoistic way

What is Einzig?

Once we have 'owness' we must then appreciate the uniqueness swell. Once you know yourself as unique then you can act truly free from constraints, it sounds selfish but should steer egoism away from a potential anti social feel

what is the union of egoists

-Stirner's alternative way of organising modern society but on egoist principles. He does not want this to result in a bunch of loners who all love themselves, that is not uniqueness, instead we should build a community of egoists with being able to express and have one's uniqueness at the heart of it.

Essentially we should support eachother, not for common good, but for individual reasons

what the union of egoists IS

- a group of people all with the same interest

- based on consent, continually being renewed

- fluid and ever changing to meet the needs and interests of the members

- you can leave whenever you want or if you interest changes/ is fulfilled

what the union of egoists ISNT

- something with a sacred element or rule based on set structure

- set in stone and unchanging

- coercive

how does the lord of the flies link with ethical egoism

Thomas Hobbes describes a self interest led state of nature:

"during the time that men live without common power to keep them all in awe, they are in that condition called war and such a war as is every man is against another man, and consequently nothing can be unjust. The ideas of right and wrong justice and injustice have no place. In such condition, there is no place for industry; because the fruits therefore is uncertain and and consequently no Culture of the earth… no knowledge of the face of the earth; no account of time; no arts; no letters’. And so, as a result, our lives will be solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.”

(Leviathan)

Hobbes on ‘giving’.

“No man giveth but with intention of good to himself; because gift is voluntary; and of all voluntary acts the object to every man is his own pleasure."

(Leviathan)

what are the strengths of ethical egoism

where are the weaknesses of ethical egoism

- destruction of community ethos = Stirner wants to get rid of anything he classes as a 'spook' regarding all of them with suspicion and contempt. These would include institutions such as law, education and family

- Stirner overlooks the positives of the 'spooks' bring to society such as the Trussel Trust, if we were to only think about ourselves then these charities would fold and people wouldn't be able to get help.

- social injustices could occur. Take stockpiling during the pandemic people over bought on things that they didn't need meaning that people were left without the bare minimum. The UK have 3 COVID vaccines available whereas international places have none. The paradox of putting ourselves first, becoming spooks, leaves people stuck becuase people follow their own self interest and if everyone does that surely some will get pushed to the side.

- a form of bigotry, there is the 'me/them' mindset. This leads to it being the root of nationalism, racism and sexism etc. If an ethical theory was used that prioritised people with brown hair over blonde hair it would be roundly criticised for its unjust nature. It would also be based on arbitrary ground with no evidence that it is needed. Whose self interest is more important?

- EE allows this by proxy. If it is in my self interest to seek this kind of outcome, then it Is morally right. There is not evidence thins kind of outcome is morally right though. There is no evidence to suggest I am more important than the next person, we have enough problems why add this?

what are the issues with ethical egoism

- destruction of community ethos = Stirner wants to get rid of anything he classes as a 'spook' regarding all of them with suspicion and contempt. These would include institutions such as law, education and family

- Stirner overlooks the positives of the 'spooks' bring to society such as the Trussel Trust, if we were to only think about ourselves then these charities would fold and people wouldn't be able to get help.

1. Universalising the theory seems to result in contradiction of duties = EXAMPLE: Plato and the rings of Gyges. Glaucon (platos Brother) uses one version of a myth about Gyges who found a ring that made the wearer invisible and used it to murder Candaules, the KIng of Lydia and then marry his wife. He argues that if one has such a ring they would act in a selfish way.

2. it fails to help reconcile conflicts = EXAMPLE: if you and me both want thing x. There is only one thing x in existence. How do we now deal with this problem if we must both shun altruism and o what we want.

3. Universalising the theory seems to result in self contradiction = On assigns a higher priority to ones own pursuits and will almost inevitable prudent plan logically advocate that others should not exclusively pursue their own interests but should also be concerned with others interest which fails the core test of an ethical theory as it does not tell you what to do

4. caring for others for their own sake is rejected = egoism argues that not only ought to pursue your won interest but caring for others is ethically rejected unless one assigns self value to the action. This means that ones emotions of compassion and empathy for those less well off should be discouraged. Though this is not a logical objection it is perhaps a objection which arises from common human feelings which seem not only natural but admiral to many

why is Universalising the theory seems to result in contradiction of duties an issue

others will be working at cross purposes to your interests (stealing files) EXAMPLE: Plato and the rings of Gyges. Glaucon (platos Brother) uses one version of a myth about Gyges who found a ring that made the wearer invisible and used it to murder Candaules, the KIng of Lydia and then marry his wife. He argues that if one has such a ring they would act in a selfish way.

why is it fails to help reconcile conflicts an issue

if I have an obligation to pursue my best interest how can you also pursue those interests if they lead to conflict. The issue is not that there will be conflict but that there is no such way of stopping it. EXAMPLE: if you and me both want thing x. There is only one thing x in existence. How do we now deal with this problem if we must both shun alterism and o what we want.

why is Universalising the theory seems to result in self contradiction an issue

On assigns a higher priority to ones own pursuits and will almost inevitable prudent plan logically advocate that others should not exclusively pursue their own interests but should also be concerned with others interest which fails the core test of an ethical theory as it does not tell you what to do

why is caring or others for their own sake an issue

egoism argues that not only ought to pursue your won interest but caring for others is ethically rejected unless one assigns self value to the action. This means that ones emotions of compassion and empathy for those less well off should be discouraged. Though this is not a logical objection it is perhaps a objection which arises from common human feelings which seem not only natural but admiral to many

who is any rand

a author and theologian

what does is Any Rand's argument for ethical egoism

The perfection of ones abilities in a state of happiness is the highest goal for humans. the ethics of altruism prescribes that we can sacrifice our interests and loves for the good of others. therefore the ethics of altruism is incompatible with the goal of happiness. Ethical egoism prescribes that we seek our own happiness exclusively and as such it is consistent with the happiness goal, and therefore it is the correct moral theory.

She constructed her own ethical egoist theory called Objectivism. Rand's outlook was based on the phenomena inside the mind and the phenomena outside the mind and the phenomena between the two (objective). She then argued that it is ethically rational to promote oneself best interest to form objective knowledge on what they should do in each situation best for themselves. Rands view was teleological. It isn't wrong to chose the life and accept the opportunity and purpose to promote our own self interest. So if you want to work for charities because it makes you feel good then you can, but it becomes immoral when they violate others rights such as stealing or murder.

what are some of Any Rand's quotes

My morality, the morality of reason, is contained in a single axiom: existence exists—and in a single choice: to live.'

The purpose of morality is to teach you, not to suffer and die, but to enjoy yourself and live.'

what is a argument against Rand

her views are considered extreme and people can be uncomfortable when centring morality on selfishness, they want morality to be based around sacrifice