Egoism

Question 1

ethical egoism

Answer 1

all action OUGHT to be motivated by self interest (ethical theory)

Question 2

psychological egoism

Answer 2

all action IS motivated by self interest (not ethical theory)

Question 3

altruism

Answer 3

selfless concern for others

Question 4

einzige

Answer 4

ego

Question 5

eigenheit

Answer 5

ownness, idea of mastering ones self

Question 6

einzig

Answer 6

uniqueness, freedom from all impositions including equality among egos

Question 7

short term self interests

Answer 7

giving to charity makes one feel good immediately about doing the right thing

Question 8

long term self interests

Answer 8

interests that could be considered part of a long term plan such as earning merit for a greater cause such as the afterlife in religion

Question 9

union of egoists

Answer 9

Stirner’s theory of a special community that was unprincipled other than having common recognition of the uniqueness of the egoist, that promotes cooperation
in self interest to work with others.

Question 10

what is the challenge of the destruction of the community ethos?

Answer 10

that egoism and Stirner promote the will of the individual over the will of the people. often advocating anarchy.
any state is illegitimate for Stirners ethical egoism as it causes conflict between uniqueness and obligations to follow the law

Question 11

what is the challenge of social injustice?

Answer 11

pursuing ones own interests will lead to conflict of interests with others. which would lead to social injustice and bigotry.

Question 12

what quote of stirners reinforces the destruction of community ethos challenge?

Answer 12

“should I not help myself as well as I can”

Question 13

did Stirner believe we could make out own moral choices?

Answer 13

he believed religious and philosophical systems control us, it is misguided to believe we are free to make moral choices

Question 14

what did Stirner believe true egoism required?

Answer 14

the realisation of what “own” or “owness” is by freeing ourselves from the religious and philosophical frameworks that control us, true self needs to be free of external ideologies

Question 15

what type of egoist was Max Stirner?

Answer 15

ethical egoist

Question 16

what did max stirner believe our actions we caused by?

Answer 16

he believed self-interest is the root of every human action even if it appears altruistic

Question 17

what did stirner believe on psychological egoism?

Answer 17

psychological egoism is mistaken, we think we act in self interest but we are deluded.
our ego is controlled by spooks and we can’t act in our own self interest. e.g someone would reject stealing because they have had duties trained into them.

Question 18

what are spooks? what is an example?

Answer 18

our internal subconscious motivators.

religion controls our desires and money

Question 19

what are the strengths of egoism?

Answer 19

• rejects material gain
• encourages long term goals
• self interest is needed to develop our uniqueness
• self interest can lead to moral good, encouragers love from others

Question 20

why can ethical egoism cause bigotry?

Answer 20

it divides people and makes the individual think their goal is superior to everyone else’s.
can lead to discrimination against others on this disparity

Question 21

how are moral actions motivated by self interest?

Answer 21

• there is no absolute, can lead to a person performing immoral acts
• individuals are not always responsible or true to themselves, they are enslaved by a framework
• encourages bigotry