Moral System:
Ethical Egoism
Ought to do
what in own
self-interest
Ethical Egoism
The Basic
Good is one’s
own
interests.
Ruleeveryone
should act in
ways that are
in their own
interest.
Types of Ethical Egoism
Individual- all people should
do whatever benefits them.
Personal- should act in his or
her own self-interest.
Universal- universal rule for all
to follow.
Psychological egoism- factual
claim that people do only act
in their self-interest.
Justification # 1
Argument # 1- Each of us is
intimately familiar with our
own individual wants and
needs. We can pursue these,
but know very little about the
interests of others and thus to
act on their behalf may
produce more harm than good.
Justification # 2
Looking out for
“others” is an
offensive
intrusion into
other people’s
privacy. It is
essentially a
policy of
“minding other
people’s
business.
Justification # 3
To concern
ourselves with
others’ good is
to degrade
them and rob
them of their
dignity. It says
they cannot
care for self
and lead to
them becoming
less self-reliant
and dependent.
Justification # 4
Ayn Randone’s
individual life
is of ultimate
value and
thus ethical
egoism takes
seriously this
reality.
Argument Against
Thomas
Jefferson- “our
relations with
others
constitute the
boundaries of
morality. Selflove therefore,
is no part of
morality.
The Moral Point of View
Kurt Baier-there must be a
moral basis for resolving
conflicts, but ethical egoism
often spawns them. “The
moralist, in this view, is not
like a judge who resolves
disputes; rather he is a
Commissioner of Boxing who
urges each fighter to do his
best.
Equal Treatment
Ethical egoism advocates that
we divide the world into two
categories of othersourselves and everyone else.
What makes me so special?
We should care about the
interests of others because
they are comparable to our
own.