1C - Egoism

Question 1

Ethical egoism

Answer 1

The belief that self interest should be the aim of our actions

Question 2

Psychological Egoism

Answer 2

The belief that human action is based on self interest

Question 3

Altruism

Answer 3

A selfless act or concern for others

Question 4

Richard Dawkins - Psychological Egoism

Answer 4

Richard Dawkins hypothesis of the ‘Selfish Gene’ suggests that humans are naturally selfish as they want to pass on their genes through reproduction.

If a species becomes overpopulated then some may become altruistic as the spread of genes is not important.

Question 5

Ethical egoisms - beliefs

Answer 5

Max Stirner
The best way to create ethical codes is by thinking ‘how does this act benefit me?’
This is the belief that humans are selfish by nature. Humans are not able to change their nature.
For a psychological egoist, human selfishness is part o nature.

Question 6

Eigenheit

Answer 6

Owness

Question 7

Normative Ethics

Answer 7

When making ethical decisions, the agent should do what is in their own self-interest

Question 8

Meta-ethics

Answer 8

The definition of good/right = an act that is performed in the agent’s self interest

Question 9

Self-interest - selfish

Answer 9

Selfish - lacking consideration for others
Self-interest - doing what serves you

Question 10

Einzige

Answer 10

Ego - the delusion of the past and the true nature of self-interest

Question 11

Einzige - explanation

Answer 11

• False notion of liberality in our rapprochement of thinking. Self-interest is always a slave to something - religious moral duty or material goods.
• Stirner calls for humans to recognise the enslavement of duty an obligation imposed by such moral frameworks. Any person who thinks they are acting independently in making moral choices is misguided because other frameworks misguide them

Question 12

Einzige - quote

Answer 12

“When one looks to the bottom of anything, one often discovers something quite other than what it seems to be”

Question 13

Quote on eigenheit

Answer 13

“I am my own when I am the master of myself, instead of being mastered by sensuality or by anything else”

Question 14

Einzig

Answer 14

Uniqueness - the future of the selfish to activate uniqueness

Question 15

Einzig

Answer 15

Only through knowing Einzig, you can know ownness.
Being unique means individual freedom for all external conceptual theories that could be imposed.
Being free of excess sensual appetites
Stirner recommends that individuals cultivate the idea of emotional detachment towards thrown appetites and ideas
Includes material attachment such as money
Uniqueness does not lead to equality - one shucked only focus on their own interests, rather than the interest of others

Question 16

Einzig quote

Answer 16

“I am owner of my might, and I am so when I know myself as unique”

Question 17

Hedonism

Answer 17

Hedonism involves seeking pleasure in the moment. This may not be in a person’s self-interest

Question 18

Union of Egoists

Answer 18

We are taught by society that we are all equals, but the result of this teaching is that we are depersonalised. It sets on us certain obligations that we are chained to and must obey because we are told we are all the same, we are all human. Religious believers do the same when they create a ‘community of worship’

“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it”

Question 19

You can still have friends

Answer 19

As long as it’s for self-interest. UNION OF EGOISTS.