Psychological and Ethical Egoism

Question 1

What is psychological egoism?

Answer 1

all actions are motivated solely by self-interest and this is what we aim for whenever we act (even when we do not succeed in promoting it)

Question 2

What is the Argument From Our Strongest Desires?

Answer 2

• whenever you do something, you are motivated by your strongest desire (you’re acting in the most preferable way)
• whenever you are motivated by your strongest desire, you are pursuing your self-interest
• therefore, whenever you do something, you are pursuing your self-interest

Question 3

What are some responses to psychological egoism?

Answer 3

• we don’t always consciously think about our self-interest when we act
• is it egoism to assert that even altruistic motivations have self-interested motivations?
• there are good evolutionary explanations for selfless and altruistic acts
• if we evolve to have these desires, then they must benefit us in some way (including selfless acts)

Question 4

What is ethhical egoism?

Answer 4

• an action is only morally required if it promotes your self-interest
• not all actions are motivated by self-interest, but they should be

Question 5

What is the link between psychological and ethical egoism?

Answer 5

• if psychological egoism is true, then we cannot be altruistic
• so if psychological altruism is true, then it cannot be our duty to be altruistic
• in the absence of altruism, you can draw the conclusion that no moral duties exist

Question 6

What are some arguments against ethical egoism?

Answer 6

• it apparently requires us to carry out actions that seem highly immoral
• it also forbids many seemingly good actions (any genuine self-sacrifice is forbidden)
• according to ethical egoism, it would be wrong not to murder somebody for their money as that would be acting against your self-interest

Question 7

What are some arguments for ethical egoism?

Answer 7

• morality can be too demanding of us - should we be required to sacrifice for others?
• at what point, is that demand unreasonable?
• can there ever be purely altruistic self-sacrifice?
• nearly all of us give some level of priority to ourselves and ethical egoism merely takes this to the extreme

Question 8

How does contractarianism help resolve the moral issues of ethical egoism?

Answer 8

• ethical egoism doesn’t necessarily exclude morality
• acting well morally is often in our best interests (contractarianism)
• contractarianism requires us to act well morally as we cannot survive without the help and co-operation of others