Forms of Egoism

Paper Summary:

This paper explains ethical egoism as the belief that it is morally right for an action to wholly fulfill an individual's self-interest. The paper points out the weakness of this philosophy but also shows how altruism can contribute to the strength of the theory since an individual may perceive further reward for helping another. The paper then turns to psychological egoism where it is not enough that an activity is in one's self-interest; the individual must also desire to perform that activity. The paper shows how psychological egoism has no allowance for altruism and this poses a severe limitation for psychological egoism. The paper also points out the difference between self-interest and selfishness and explains why the former is a tenant of egoism while the latter falls out-of-line with egoism.

From the Paper:

"In the philosophy of ethical egoism, an action can be considered morally right if it maximizes and individual's self interest. Naturally, this is at odds with other moral theories that place a greater emphasis on altruism. Under the philosophy of ethical egoism, it would seem that an individual should not engage in any activity that represents cost to the individual even if it results in great gain to another. For example, why attempt to rescue a person who is about to fall off of a cliff if it represents a risk, however small, of tumbling off themselves This is incorrect, however, as it falls into the mistake of assuming that self interest and self centeredness are the same thing. Rather, an ethical egoist would consider the benefit to be gained by rescuing a person from a cliff."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Brink, D., 1997, "Self-love and Altruism," Social Philosophy and Policy 14: 122-157.
• Broad, C. D., 1971, "Egoism as a Theory of Human Motives," in Broad, Broad's CriticalEssays in Moral Philosophy, London: George Allen and Unwin.
• McConnell, T. C. 1978, "The Argument from Psychological Egoism to Ethical Egoism,"Australasian Journal of Philosophy 56: 41-47.
• Slote, M. A., 1964, "An Empirical Basis for Psychological Egoism," Journal ofPhilosophy 61: 530-537.

More papers on Forms of Egoism:

• Analytical Essay # 136531 : "School Violence and Views of Karl Marx and Emile Durkheim"
• Term Paper # 116078 : "Ethical Systems"
• Persuasive Essay # 83660 : "Active and Passive Euthanasia"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: