Ethical egoism

Question 1

What type of ethic is ethical egoism?

Answer 1

• a normative ethic

- it is teleological - with the goal of achieving one’s self interest

Question 2

What is the fundamental of ethical egoist’s belief?

Answer 2

• ethical egoists believe if an action creates a beneficial outcome for the moral agent; then this can be considered morally good

Question 3

“ethical egoism holds that…”

Answer 3

“all actions ought to be motivated by self-interest.”

Julia Driver

Question 4

What is the only obligation of an ethical egoist?

Answer 4

• the only obligation is to themselves and any actions that upholds this principle is deemed acceptable

Question 5

“ethical egoists may hold…”

Answer 5

“any kind of theory off what is good and what is bad for their welfare.”

William Frankena

Question 6

What is the contrasting ethical position to ethical egoism?

Answer 6

Altruism - altruism holds that moral agents have an obligation to help others.

Question 7

What does altruism state a moral agent should always do?

Answer 7

Should always try to positively impact other individuals, regardless of the outcomes for the moral agent.

Question 8

What do ethical egoists ironically consider about altruistic actions?

Answer 8

Recognise them as ultimately egotistical in nature. This is because when we carry out altruistic actions, we are doing so from some form of self gain.

Question 9

What would the ethical egoist consider about the altruist who gives money to a homeless person?

Answer 9

• making yourself look like a better person; to impress your friends.
• it is not a concern for others, but a concern for yourself that motivates you.

Question 10

“in caring for other people…”

Answer 10

“I do so because I think it will make my own life happier.”

Richard Norman

Question 11

What is psychological egoism?

Answer 11

The view that humans are always motivated by self interest.

Question 12

Why is ethical egoism the ideal normative ethic to follow

Answer 12

Because it supports our natural psychological state.

Question 13

What is the difference between psychological egoism and ethical egoism?

Answer 13

• Psychological egoismi is a theory of human nature and argues that egoism is our natural state.
• ethical egoism is a theory that states moral agents should act upon their egotistical nature.

Question 14

Long term interests not just short term interests

Answer 14

• Ethical egoism doesn’t always entail the moral agent pursuing short term self interests.
• because the fulfilment of short term desires may prove detrimental to the long term desires.

Question 15

An example of a selfless act having a self-interested long term goal

Answer 15

A business may help someone by giving them a free product, but this provides the organisation with positive advertising and further business.

Question 16

What does Ayn Rand argue about selves behaviour?

Answer 16

It is short sighted and creates a society that treats individuals as disposable.

Question 17

What does long term interest do to a society?

Answer 17

Creates a society where individuals satisfy their own best interests.

Question 18

“ethical egoism endorses selfishness…”

Answer 18

“but it doesn’t endorse foolishness.”

James Rachels

Question 19

Who was Max Stirner?

Answer 19

A German philosopher who is seen as one of the forerunners of ethical egoism. Wrote “The Ego and its Own.”

Question 20

What does Stirner agree with of the theory?

Answer 20

The general ethos that self interest should be the root cause of an individual’s every moral action.

Question 21

Stirner’s 3 arguments

Answer 21

1. the ego is a slave to obligation
2. freedom comes when I recognise my ownness or authority over myself
3. ownness is realised by understanding that our uniqueness gives us power to make our own decisions

Question 22

What is the reason why we should all act in our own self-interest?

Answer 22

Because any attempts to satisfy the needs of other restricts our own uniqueness

Question 23

Einzige

Answer 23

You are a unique individual, you have a unique ego to satisfy.

Question 24

How does an individual maximise their uniqueness?

Answer 24

They must concentrate all their actions purely on themselves. We must treat ourselves as the highest being.

Question 25

What does one need to recognise also, in order to develop their uniqueness?

Answer 25

Stirner calls for human beings to recognise our enslavement to moral obligations and duties imposed by other moral frameworks.

Question 26

What does Stirner call for the rejection of?

Answer 26

All other ethical frameworks and particularly religious ones. Religious ones have stopped us being our own true ego.

Question 27

“the religious way of thinking has…”

Answer 27

“biased our mind so grievously that we are terrified of ourselves.”

Stirner

Question 28

Why does Stirner reject the dictates of our conscience?

Answer 28

The subconscious thoughts that guide our moral actions or the inner thoughts, are no more than an internalised set of moral values that have been imposed on us by society.

Question 29

“I decide whether it is…”

Answer 29

“the right thing in me; there is no right outside of me.”

Stirner

Question 30

Why does Stirner believe individuals are sacrificing their free will?

Answer 30

Because any person who thinks they’re acting independently in making moral choices is misguided, because the moral idea controls them

Question 31

What does Stirner believe we should centre all our moral actions upon?

Answer 31

Upon ourselves because if we don’t we are not being true to our own unique ego and we would be sacrificing our free will

Question 32

What does Stirner say about eigenhelt?

Answer 32

Means ownness. It is not until I develop what my own ego wants that I can become my own free person.

Question 33

What does Stirner say about material gain?

Answer 33

• Stirner concedes that material gain can be part of an individual’s personal ego
• but it is just one part of the ego and to spend all life pursuing that part of our ego would deny all other parts of our ego.

Question 34

What does Stirner call the pursuit of material gain?

Answer 34

“one sided, narrow egoism.”

Question 35

What does Stirner argue excessive concentration on moral gain would do?

Answer 35

It would enslave the moral agent in the same way that following a moral ethic would. They would become a slave to capitalism.

Question 36

What is the Union of Egoists?

Answer 36

Stirner’s alternative way of organising modern society but on egoist principles.

Question 37

People would unite in ‘unions’, based on what 3 principles?

Answer 37

1. free agreement (members cannot be forced to join a particular union)
2. equality of all members
3. mutual self interest of those involved

Question 38

Why would unions exist?

Answer 38

To ensure they maximise an individual’s ego, as well as ensuring that those involved sacrifice nothing of themslebs.

Question 39

How would ethical egoism diminish a community ethos?

Answer 39

Because moral agents will instead concentrate upon their own self-interests and ignore community needs (which rely on altruism)

Question 40

What is a community ethos?

Answer 40

A group of people working together for the greater good of their community.

Question 41

What could an individual’s pursuit of their own interests lead to?

Answer 41

• Could lead to other individual’s suffering.

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Question 42

What could a particular egoist’s pursuit for money lead to?

Answer 42

As one individual accumulates money it means other individuals have less. Therefore ethical egoism could create the social injustice of poverty for some and ultra-richness for others

Question 43

What do bigots tend to believe?

Answer 43

That their group is superior to other groups, therefore they cause divide.

Question 44

How can ethical egoism be seen as a form of bigotry?

Answer 44

Because it divides people into me and everyone else. This can lead to discrimination against others.