Egoism Flashcards
Egoism
Putting your own self interest above that of anyone else
What are the 3 forms of egoism?
- Psychological Egoism
- Conditional Egoism
- Ethical Egoism
Psychological Egoism
A view of the way in which human beings work. Psychological egoists argue that all human actions are motivated by self interest.
Arguments against Psychological Egoism
People act charitably towards others
- All apparent altruistic actions have egoistical undertones
- The underlying motive for human action is egoism
Joseph Butler
‘We may not want to do a certain thing, but that we choose to do it because the end is what we desire’
What is the conscience evidence of?
Selflessness
Conditional Egoism
The theory that maintains that entrepreneurs should be free to maximise their profit in business if the by-products of their success benefit the whole community
Where is the idea of Conditional Egoism found?
Adam Smith’s, ‘An Enquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations’ 1776
Why is Conditional Egoism considered good?
Allowing the entrepreneur to pursue their own interests and succeed in business leads to a greater good for the community.
Criticisms of Conditional Egoism
- It offers no guarantee
2. It hasn’t been demonstrated that unbridled capitalism leads to the improvement of the common good
Ethical Egoism
A theory, rather than a psychological pattern of behaviour
Perhaps morality can be seen as doing things that are a means of our own self-fulfillment
Max Stirner
Johann Schmidt born in Germany in 1806
What was Max Stirner’s book?
The Ego and his Own (1844)
What did Stirner suggest?
- The notion of self-interest is deluded because it incorrectly identified the true nature of the ‘self’
- Stirner agreed that actions should be driven by the self but only once you understand what the self actually is
- There is no such thing as a ‘free’ person, we’re all influenced by others
German Translation for ‘Ego’
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