Ethical Thought- Ethical Egoism Flashcards
Ethical egoism (main idea)
It is a normative ethic- tells moral agents how they should act, when faced with a moral dilemma they should do what is in their own self interest.
It is relativist (right or wrong depends on norms), teleological (based on the goal) and consequentialist (based on consequences)
Key points on how it works
An ethical egoist should consider the consequences of their actions, if a particular action would create beneficial consequence for the moral agent, then this would be ethically good. For example if a child didn’t do a piece of homework, they could lie or tell the truth based on which consequence is better for them.
Contrast with altruism
Altruism holds that moral agents have an obligation to help others. (opposite to ethical egoism). For example if a building was on fire altruism would say go in to save the other people rather their own safety.
Matches human psychological needs
Humans live to maximise pleasure (hedonism). Psychological egoism is the view that humans are always motivated by self interest, even if it seems to be an act of altruism. They may choose to help others but because of the personal benefits they may gain. (giving money to charity to impress someone).
Matches long term interest, not short term
The ethical egoist needs to also consider long term self interests because the fulfillment of short term desires may prove detrimental to the self. Rachels, “ ethical egoism endorses selfishness, but it doesn’t endorse foolishness.
Stirner’s ethical egoism
His theory has 3 main features- All our actions are done for self interest, rejection of material gain and union of egoists.
Stirner- all our actions are done for self interest
Love is an example of selfishness because love makes me happy.
Stirner- rejection of material gain
He rejects that ethical egoism is about monetary gain, because greed is just one part of the ego, and pursuing that would deny all the other parts.
Stirner- union of egoists
The union exists purely to help each individual in the union to achieve their own goals. It could be a marriage but only as long as it was only based on mutual pleasure and self enjoyment.
Challenges- destruction of community ethos
A community ethos can be seen as a group of people working together for the greater good of their community. So this means they will focus on their own self interest rather than help people in need, eg homeless people.
Challenges- social injustices
Could create poverty for some and mega richness for others, as there is only a limited amount of money within a society.
Challenges- ethical egoism as a form of bigotry
Encourages prejudice, as it divides people, this can lead to discrimination against the others. It could also justify rape if it’s in the attackers self interest.
