Ethical Egoism

Question 1

What is ethical egoism?

Answer 1

The prescriptive doctrine that all persons ought to act from their own self-interest.

Question 2

What kind of theory is ethical egoism?

Answer 2

Normative or prescriptive.

Question 3

Name two advantages of ethical egoism.

Answer 3

1) Everyone pursuing their own self-interest is the best way to promote the general good.
2) Sacrificing one’s own interests for the good of others denies the fundamental value of one’s own life to oneself.

Question 4

Name two objections to ethical egoism.

Answer 4

1) Ethical egoism has no solutions to offer when a problem arises involving conflicts of interest.
2) Ethical egoism goes against the principle of impartiality. (principle of justice holding that decisions should be based on objective criteria, rather than on the basis of bias, prejudice, or preferring the benefit to one person over another for improper reasons.)