1. Introduction to Philosophy Jason M. Chang
Ethical Egoism
Introduction to Philosophy Jason M. Chang [

2. Lecture Outline Introduction to egoism Two arguments for egoism
Human nature argument
Virtue of selfishness argument
Objections to ethical egoism

3. Introduction to egoism
What ethical egoism is
Moral theory
Egoism’s definition of a morally right act
Morally right act = the act that best serves one’s own self-interest

4. Introduction to egoism
Misconceptions about ethical egoism
Mistake #1: Egoism says that we should simply do whatever we want
Ethical egoism does not say we should simply follow our short term wants or desires

5. Introduction to egoism
Misconceptions about ethical egoism
Mistake #2: Egoism precludes helping others
Ethical egoism does not preclude giving money to homeless

6. Introduction to egoism
Misconceptions about ethical egoism
Mistake #3: Egoism precludes following the law
Ethical egoism does not preclude following the law

7. Human nature argument
for ethical egoism

8. Human nature argument Thomas Hobbes Features of the argument
Assumes that “ought” implies “can”
Appeals to human nature
Thomas Hobbes ( )

9. Human nature argument What is a human being’s natural state? Selfish?
Benevolent?
Good?
Evil?

10. Human nature argument To understand human nature, we must...
Imagine a state of nature before the existence of societies and institutions. In this state of nature, there are no rules, laws, or policies to regulate human behavior.
How would humans behave in this state of nature?

11. Human nature argument “nasty, brutish, and short”
The state of nature, according to Hobbes, would be…
“nasty, brutish, and short”

12. Human nature argument Major claim in the human nature argument
Humans are naturally selfish
Innate
Immutable

13. Human nature argument Reasons for this claim Hobbes’ state of nature
Newborn babies
Studies in psychology

14. Human nature argument Human nature argument
(P1) If one cannot do an act, one has no obligation to do it.
(P2) A person cannot do other than seek his or her own self-interest or happiness when acting. [Psychological egoism]
Therefore,
(C) There is no obligation to do anything other than seek one’s own self-interest or satisfaction. [Ethical egoism]

15. Virtues of selfishness argument for ethical egoism

16. Virtue of selfishness argument
Ayn Rand
Features of the argument
Appeals to the human good
Human good = perfection of oneself
Ayn Rand ( )

17. Virtue of selfishness argument
Features of the argument
Selflessness as a vice
Selfishness as a virtue
Ayn Rand ( )

18. Virtue of selfishness argument
(P1) Humans have a moral duty to pursue the human good.
(P2) The perfection of oneself is the only human good.
So,
(P3) A person has a moral duty to perfect himself.
(P4) Acting against one’s own self-interest is contrary to perfecting oneself.
Therefore,
(C) A person has a moral duty not to act against but only in promotion of his own self-interest. [Ethical egoism]

19. Objection to human nature argument

20. Objections to ethical egoism
Human nature argument
(P1) If one cannot do an act, one has no obligation to do it.
(P2) A person cannot do other than seek his or her own self-interest or happiness when acting. [Psychological egoism]
Therefore,
(C) There is no obligation to do anything other than seek one’s own self-interest or satisfaction. [Ethical egoism]
Objection:
(P2) is false – people can and often do act for reasons other than for their own self-interest or happiness.

21. Objections to ethical egoism
Confusing two ideas
Confusing two ideas
“Helping others for personal satisfaction”
The idea  Gaining personal satisfaction is our goal or motivation
Psychological egoism’s claim  To gain satisfaction is the reason we help others or do anything
“Personal satisfaction from helping others”
The idea  Helping others is our goal or motivation – satisfaction merely follows
Critic’s claim  Much of what we do generates satisfaction as a consequence – but that is not why we do them
Helping others for personal satisfaction
Motive  Gain personal satisfaction
Personal satisfaction from helping others
Motive  To help others

22. Objection to virtue of selfishness argument

23. Objections to ethical egoism
Virtue of selfishness argument
(P1) Humans have a moral duty to pursue the human good.
(P2) The perfection of oneself is the only human good.
So,
(P3) A person has a moral duty to perfect himself.
(P4) Acting against one’s own self-interest is contrary to perfecting oneself.
Therefore,
(C) A person has a moral duty not to act against but only in promotion of his own self-interest. [Ethical egoism]
Objection:
(P2) is false – a life aimed exclusively at perfecting oneself is not a good human life.

24. Objections to ethical egoism
First criticism of (P2)
Jones has an overwhelming passion for, a complete preoccupation with, his own happiness and self-perfection.
Does Jones live a good life?

25. Criticisms of ethical egoism
Second criticism of (P2) – An egoist can’t have friends
Features of friendship
Friendship and the good life
Paradox of egoism