Psychological Egoism <\/p>\n
Definition. Individuals naturally act in their own interest; i.e., act to increase their own good or benefit. <\/p>\n
Some of the Strongest Arguments in Favor <\/p>\n
1. Many examples of such behavior, a known, sufficient, representative number of cases to allow induction. <\/p>\n
2. Explanations of counter-examples as actually instances of egoism. A person desires some kind of good or benefit whether fame, being well-liked, or eternal life. Even someone who gives away most of their money to charity anonymously gets a sense of satisfaction---even if there is no other reward. Even a soldier who jumps on a grenade to save the lives of her buddies is actually doing action for own good or benefit. <\/p>\n
Some of the Strongest Arguments Against Psychological Egoism: <\/p>\n
1. Counter-examples of altruism, especially if these are \"natural\" impulses. (E.g., Mencius passerby who rescues a child from falling into a well.) Note: One does not have to demonstrate that persons always act altruistically--only that this has happened at least once. <\/p>\n
2. Responses to psychological egoist claims that any counter-example is actually an example of egoism: <\/p>\n
a) Is satisfaction or a good feeling the same as self-interest? <\/p>\n
b) A person can have multiple motives, only one of which is self-interest. Often altruism and egoism co-exist and are compatible. <\/p>\n
c) Whatever counter-examples opponents offer, psychological. egoists will always explain them as boiling down to self-interest. Therefore, psychological. egoism is an A priori premise, a closed argument, not an empirically demonstrable thesis. <\/p>\n
3. Free will\/determinism. <\/p>\n
For more detailed arguments see article on \"Egoism\" in the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy at http:\/\/plato.stanford.edu\/entries\/egoism\/<\/a> , the article in the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy at http:\/\/www.iep.utm.edu\/e\/egoism.htm<\/a> ,, and on e-reserve Tom L. Beauchamp, Philosophical Ethics: An Introduction to Moral Philosophy, 56-66. <\/p>\n Ethical egoism. <\/p>\n Definition. Individuals ought to act in their own interest; i.e., act to increase their own good or benefit. They have a choice. They should choose to act in their own interest. <\/p>\n Some of the Strongest Arguments in Favor. <\/p>\n a. Each person most knowledgeable judge. <\/p>\n b. Adam Smiths \"Invisible Hand\" type of argument (called \"conditional egoism\" in the IEP web reading listed below.) <\/p>\n c. To criticisms of egoism as causing unacceptable harm to others: replies that caring for others and cooperation are actually in each individuals long run best interest. <\/p>\n Some of the Strongest Arguments Against. <\/p>\n a. Universalism: Should everyone be an ethical egoist? Related to b. <\/p>\n b. Conflict of Interests - no way to resolve <\/p>\n c. Actually, in many cases an argument for utilitarianism as with Smith. <\/p>\n d. Humans have a social character that ethical egoism may cause them to seek to buck. . <\/p>\n For more detailed arguments see the article in the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy online at http:\/\/plato.stanford.edu\/entries\/egoism\/the<\/a> article in the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy at http:\/\/www.iep.utm.edu\/e\/egoism.htm<\/a> , and on e-reserve Tom L. Beauchamp, Philosophical Ethics: An Introduction to Moral Philosophy, 56-66. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Go here to see the original: <\/p>\n Psychological Egoism - University of Idaho<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Psychological Egoism Definition. Individuals naturally act in their own interest; i.e., act to increase their own good or benefit. Some of the Strongest Arguments in Favor 1 Continue reading