Psychological and Ethical Egoism (Blackboard)

Self-Interest vs. Altruism

• Questions on motivation:

• Why do we act the way we do?

• Are our actions purely motivated by self-interest?

• Is it possible for some actions to be altruistic or purely for others' benefit?

• Psychological egoism:

• A theory stating that every human action is motivated by self-interest.

• Different from normative claims (how things should be).

• Offers a view of human nature where individuals cannot be motivated otherwise.

• Importance of the debate:

• If true, then altruism would not exist.

• Actions considered morally right would only serve one's self-interest.

Moral Implications of Psychological Egoism

• If psychological egoism holds true:

• Denies the possibility of purely conscientious action (doing what's right regardless of self-interest).

• Would make holding individuals morally accountable for selfish actions unreasonable.

• Counterexamples:

• Acts like Mother Teresa’s self-sacrifice or military heroism call into question the psychological egoist view.

• Believing that acts can be motivated solely by self-interest leads to an overly simplistic understanding of motivations.

Critique of Psychological Egoism

• Validity of its claims is questionable:

• Easy explanations