Topic 5: Egoism & Altruism

Psychological Egoism

The descriptive theory that all human actions are ultimately motivated by self interest even when they appear altruistic

Challenge of Psychological Egoism

If all actions are self interested then genuine altruism might not exist and morality becomes unnecessary

Argument for Psychological Egoism Pleasure Argument

People always pursue what brings them satisfaction so every action is selfish

Difficulty Disproving Psychological Egoism

Any seemingly altruistic act can be reinterpreted as selfish which makes the theory unfalsifiable

Selfish Gene Hypothesis

The evolutionary idea that behaviours promoting the survival of one's genes will be favoured by natural selection

Kin Selection

The evolutionary explanation that altruism occurs because helping relatives ensures the survival of shared genes

Reciprocal Altruism

The evolutionary idea that altruistic behaviour evolves because individuals who help others are likely to be helped in return

Group Selection

The theory that groups with cooperative behaviours survive better than groups lacking cooperation

Evolution and Altruism Question

If evolution favours gene survival how do genuinely self sacrificing behaviours arise through natural selection

Ethical Egoism

The normative theory that one should act in their own self interest and that it is morally right to prioritize oneself

Difference Between Psychological and Ethical Egoism

Psychological egoism describes how people do act while ethical egoism prescribes how people should act

Narrow Ethical Egoism

The view that one should always act in ways that advance their own interests even if it severely harms others

Pure Ethical Egoism

The view that one should act in their self interest but acknowledges that long term self interest sometimes aligns with cooperation or helping others

Argument for Ethical Egoism Self Reliance

Individuals know their own needs best and society works better when people focus on themselves rather than interfering in others lives

Argument for Ethical Egoism Everyone Benefits

If each person pursues their long term self interest overall social welfare increases

Objection to Ethical Egoism Contradictions Problem

Ethical egoism can require actions that create contradictions such as saying an action is right for one person but wrong for another in identical situations

Objection to Ethical Egoism Arbitrary Distinction

Ethical egoism treats oneself as more morally important without justification similar to racism or sexism

Objection to Psychological Egoism Altruism Evidence

People often act at real cost to themselves without expectation of reward such as rescuing strangers or donating anonymously

Egoism and Morality Challenge

If psychological egoism is true moral obligations may be impossible because people cannot act selflessly

Evolutionary Explanation of Morality

Cooperation and altruism can evolve because they contribute to survival in social species

Exam Requirement Egoism

You must explain psychological egoism its arguments and why it is difficult to falsify

Exam Requirement Evolution of Altruism

You must explain kin selection reciprocal altruism and group selection and how they explain altruistic behaviour

Exam Requirement Ethical Egoism

You must explain the theory its strengths and objections and the difference between narrow and pure forms

Difference Between Descriptive and Normative Egoism

Psychological egoism describes human behaviour while ethical egoism argues what behaviour is morally right

Are Humans Naturally Selfish Question

The course asks whether our natural disposition supports egoism or whether altruism is a genuine part of human nature

Million Dollars Scenario Relevance

Used to test intuitions about whether people act morally only when observed or whether morality overrides self interest