Egoism – Queensborough Community College

There are several theories about the principle of the GOOD that would serve human decision making in reaching a conclusion as to what is the morally correct thing to do. One approach or group of theories is known as being Teleological.

TELEOLOGICAL THEORIES

In this approach to ethics it is the consequence of the act that is the basis for determining its worth. One of the most basic of consequences is the impact on people and one of the most basic of all values for determining whether something is good or not is the pleasure that it brings to someone. Some think that emotional and physical PLEASURE is the ONLY basis for determining what is GOOD

Theories of the GOOD based on pleasure are termed HEDONISM

There are two popular theories of the GOOD based on pleasure. One is based on pleasure to one self. EGOISM

The other is based on the pleasure that results for all humans in the world. UTILITARIANISM.

This section will focus on EGOISM.

==========================================================================

There are five types of Egoism the focus here is on the last:

ETHICAL EGOISM

Assuming that my killing him will be in my best interest but detrimental to my grandfather, while refraining from killing him will be to my detriment but in my grandfathers interest, then if ethical conflict-regulation is sound, there can be a sound moral guideline regulating this conflict (presumably by forbidding this killing). But then ethical egoism cannot be sound, for it precludes the interpersonally authoritative regulation of interpersonal conflicts of interest, since such a regulation implies that conduct contrary to ones interest is sometimes morally required of one, and conduct in ones best interest is sometimes morally forbidden to one. Thus, ethical egoism is incompatible with ethical conflict-regulation.

References: Baier, Kurt. 1991 "Egoism" in a Companion to Ethics. (ed. P. Singer) Oxford: Blackwell, 197-204.

Internet Encyclopedia READ: http://www.utm.edu/research/iep/e/egoism.htm

A famous Egoist was Thomas Hobbes

Ethical Egoism and EGOISTS READ: http://caae.phil.cmu.edu/Cavalier/80130/part2/sect7.html

http://caae.phil.cmu.edu/Cavalier/80130/part2/Routledge/R_Egoism.html

Catholic Encyclopedia http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05328a.htm

Ethical EGOISM Powerpoint presentation http://ethics.sandiego.edu/presentations/Theory/EthicalEgoism/index_files/frame.html

Literature on Egoism-links to sites http://ethics.sandiego.edu/theories/Egoism/index.asp

ETHICAL EGOISM

An action is morally right if and only if it is to the advantage of the person doing it.

ARGUMENTS FOR ETHICAL EGOISM

1. An altruistic moral theory that demands total self-sacrifice is degrading to the moral agent.

Objection: This is a false dilemma: there are many non-egoistic moral theories that do not demand total self-sacrifice.

2. Everyone is better off if each pursues his or her self-interest.

Objection: (a) This probably is not true in practice; and (b) True egoism isn't concerned with what will make everyone better off.

ARGUMENTS AGAINST ETHICAL EGOISM

1. Provides no moral basis for solving conflicts between people.

2. Obligates each person to prevent others from doing the right thing.

3. Has the same logical basis as racism.

4. The egoist cannot advise others to be egoists because it works against the first egoists interest.

5. No one person can expect the entire worlds population to act in such a way as to produce the most benefit (pleasure) for that one person.

The Truth in Psychological Egosim by Hugh LaFollette

http://www.stpt.usf.edu/hhl/papers/egoism.htm

So although we all know people who attempt to live their lives as egoists, they are not generally well liked. Being so totally focused on the self is not likely to make someone many friends. Egoists can but friends but most people avoid egoists as they are thought to be untrustworthy.

EGOISM is not the basis for the moral foundation needed for social life.

There are other options.

turn to next section

See the rest here:

Egoism - Queensborough Community College