EGOISM
Barbara McKinnon Chapter 3
Ethics and Contemporary Issues
Professor Douglas Olena
Alan and Edna
Alan Altruist and Edna Egoist are set against each other in
dialogue.
McKinnon takes it that in altruism, sometimes people act
unselfishly.
Egoism, in contrast, takes it that people do and must act solely
out of self interest.
Types of Egoism p. 32, 33
Descriptive Egoism: This is a theory that describes what people
are like, basically self-centered or selfish. It is often referred to
as psychological egoism.
Normative Egoism: This is a theory about how people ought to
behave. It is called ethical egoism.
Contractarianism: This is the view of Thomas Hobbes. “It can be
considered a form of egoism in that it stresses individual selfinterested choice.
Psychological Egoism 33
This says that people are basically selfish. (Edna’s dialog)
There is a distinction between acting selfishly and acting with
self-interest.
Self-interest carries with it the connotation of a person having
foresight about choices: “health, career, prestige, self-respect,
family and friends.”
This is not some hedonistic selfishness, but self-disciplined
behavior with future happiness in mind.
Psychological Egoism 33
The negative aspect shows up in this, that “we would not
actually need to be concerned about others but only to appear to
be concerned.”
“It might well be true that people always do what they think is
the best thing for them.”
This is a motivation, not a description of what people ultimately
do.
Psychological Egoism 34
Is this true?
“Is the tendency to be self-oriented something that is innate to
all of us, perhaps part of our survival instinct?”
Do observations, philosophical speculations and empirical
descriptions tell us what the case is about human development
and motivation?
Do they make the case for or against psychological egoism?
Psychological Egoism 34
Psychological egoism is a theory about human motivation.
As such it is unsatisfying.
We often don’t know why we do a thing.
Tracing our motivations may be a waste of time.
Though we may get satisfaction from doing something, we may
not have had that in mind as a motive for doing it.
Psychological Egoism 34
Psychological egoism is a theory about human motivation.
In order to prove it true we must be able to show that people
always act to promote their own interests.
That makes it especially difficult to prove.
Ethical Egoism 35
Ethical egoism is a theory about what we ought to do, how we
ought to act.
Individual ethical egoism: “I look out only for my own
interests.”
Universal ethical egoism: “Everyone ought to look out for
and seek only their own best interests.”
People ought to help others only when it is in their own best
interest to do so.
Ethical Egoism 35
Is ethical egoism a good theory? We will evaluate four ways.
1. its grounding in psychological egoism
2. its consistency or coherence
3. its derivation from economic theory
4. its conformity to commonsense moral views
Ethical Egoism 35
Ethical Egoism’s grounding in psychological egoism:
“At first it may seem reasonable to rely on a belief about
people’s basic selfishness to prove that people ought to look out
for themselves alone.”
“This seems far from convincing.”
Ethical Egoism 35
Is ethical egoism consistent or coherent?
It is possibly inconsistent or incoherent.
In a game, we can believe that our opponent should make a
certain move while we would not wish her to.
We can imagine when food is scarce, that I should get what I can
and keep it for myself. But is it possible also that it is in my own
interest to share that food?
Ethical Egoism 35, 36
It is derived from economic theory.
According to Adam Smith self interest provides the best economic
motivation.
When profit motives or incentives are absent people will not
work or not work as well.
As long as laissez-faire capitalism is in place the “invisible hand”
of self centered motivation will advance the economy.
Ethical Egoism 35, 36
Some suggest that a community based economy is a better bet
for social advancement.
If laissez-faire capitalism did work, would that justify us taking it
as a rule for moral life?
The best version of this models another system, utilitarianism
which we will study in the next chapter.
Ethical Egoism 36
Does ethical egoism conform to commonsense moral views? 1.
EE states that anything can be justified as moral if it serves an
individual’s best interest.
Could we then justify torturing humans or animals?
“When not useful to one’s interests, traditional virtues of
honesty, fidelity and loyalty would have no value.”
Ethical Egoism 36
Does ethical egoism conform to commonsense moral views? 2.
EEs could argue that torture or cruelty to animals “is never in
one’s best interests because it would make one less sensitive,”
less humane.
Keeping traditional moral rules may help me get what I want
more quickly.
Whether these reasons are sufficient to value these virtues and
condemn torture is in question.
Ethical Egoism 36
Does ethical egoism conform to commonsense moral views? 3.
On the other hand being an EE might be a faster route to
positive self regard and a fair estimation of oneself.
The altruist might be too self-effacing.
There is some truth to the view that unless one takes care of
oneself, one is not as much use to others.
This may be another form of utilitarianism.
Moral Point of View 36
Could a person who cares only for herself be considered a moral
person? 1.
This is not a question about whether a person has good morals
or bad, but about whether a person could be considered moral at
all.
37 An education in morals may be of no use.
What would count is the ability of a person to see beyond
themselves and their own interests.
Moral Point of View 37
Could a person who cares only for herself be considered a moral
person? 2.
“It may also mean that we attempt to see things from another’s
point of view, or to be impartial.”
“Morality would then be thought of as providing rules for social
living—ways, for example, of settling conflicts.”
Moral Point of View 37
Could a person who cares only for herself be considered a moral
person? 3.
“Questions could be raised about the extent to which impartiality
colors the moral domain or is required in order to be moral.”
“Some feminists, for example, would rather define it in terms of
sympathy and caring.” (more on this view in Chapter 7)
Why Be Moral? 37
Assuming: impartiality and taking the other’s point of view…
Are there any reasons we can give to show why everyone ought
to be moral? 1.
“Without such moral rules, our social lives would be pretty
wretched.”
“Our life together would be one of constant conflict and wars.”
Why Be Moral? 37, 38
Are there any reasons we can give to show why everyone ought
to be moral? 2.
Is it merely the fear of punishment that prevents people from
being immoral?
38 One is ennobled by being moral. It gives one a certain
dignity, integrity and self respect.
Only humans are capable of being moral.
Humans cannot flourish without being moral.
Why Be Moral? 37, 38
Are there any reasons we can give to show why everyone ought
to be moral? 3.
Why then if it is so good to be moral do some people seem to do
fine without morals?
And why are morals put aside when they are inconvenient or
hard?
Then again, if being moral requires sacrifice or finishing last,
then that is what must be done. Being moral is not easy.