ITETHIC O0A
Anna Dy
10893776
September 28, 2010
Article: Egoism and Moral Skepticism by James Rachel
Review Questions:
1. Explain the legend of Gyges. What questions about morality are raised by the
story?
The legend of Gyges is about a shepherd who has gotten hold of a magic ring that
allows him to be invisible, however he used it to seduce the queen, kill the king and get
hold of the throne. The morality raised by the story is about what if a man of virtue has
gotten hold of the ring, he will also be tempted to do bad, this is because if you already
can be able to get your fruits and food for free then why still pay. It tells us that it is hard
to resist temptation.
2. Distinguish between psychological and ethical egoism.
Psychological egoism is the view that all people care about is themselves and will do
everything to achieve something for their own good. However ethical egoism is about
what we should be doing. For example in a psychological egoism view one is allowed to
get the fruits for free since you are invisible, while the ethical egoism views that even if
you are invisible you should still be paying.
3. Rachels discusses two arguments for psychological egoism. What are these
arguments, and how does he reply to them?
First argument: One action is selfish the other is unselfish, however both adheres
to what they want to do.
Rachels answers the argument as it is dependent on object of the want. If it
would mean I want something for me but not for the others then it is selfishness,
however if it is about I want others to be also be good then it is not selfishness.
Second Argument: “Unselfish”is only at a superficial level.
Rachels answers the argument was that the unselfish man is the one who drives
satisfaction from others and the selfish man does not.
4. What three commonplace confusions does Rachels detect in the thesis of
psychological egoism?
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“The first is about the confusion of selfishness with self-interest.”
“The second confusion is on the assumption that every action is done
either from self-interest or from other regarding motives”
“The third confusion is the common but false assumption that a concern
for one’s own wellness is compatible with any genuine concern for the
welfare of others.”
5. State the argument for saying that ethical egoism is inconsistent. Why doesn’t
Rachels accept the argument?
“It is possible for people to act altruistically, and perhaps many people do act that
way. – But there is no reason they should do so. A person is under no obligation
to do anything except what is in his own interest.”
Rachels does not agree with the argument because he believes that everyone is
motivated by self-regard.
6. According to Rachels, why shouldn’t we hurt others, and why should we help
others? How can the egoism reply?
We should not hurt others because we should be good and promote welfare of others.
The egoists does not care about people and they don’t mind if they get to hurt others.