a golden ring in a cave which, he discovered, made him invisible when he wore it. So he put it on, went into the palace of the local king, seduced the queen and together they killed the king and took over the kingdom. From an ancient Persian tale, related by Plato in The Republic.
a golden ring in a cave which, he discovered, made him invisible when he wore it. So he put it on, went into the palace of the local king, seduced the queen and together they killed the king and took over the kingdom. From an ancient Persian tale, related by Plato in The Republic. ! If you had such power, would you be able to resist the temptation to be completely selfish?
a golden ring in a cave which, he discovered, made him invisible when he wore it. So he put it on, went into the palace of the local king, seduced the queen and together they killed the king and took over the kingdom. From an ancient Persian tale, related by Plato in The Republic. ! If you had such power, would you be able to resist the temptation to be completely selfish? ! Are people inherently selfish and only held in check by our fear of getting caught?
unselfish – ethics places impossible demands on us. ! This is a descriptive claim about the way we make decisions and act on them. Ethical Egoism ! We should not be unselfish – ethics places immoral demands on us.
unselfish – ethics places impossible demands on us. ! This is a descriptive claim about the way we make decisions and act on them. Ethical Egoism ! We should not be unselfish – ethics places immoral demands on us. ! This is a normative claim about what we should or shouldn’t do.
To have consistent beliefs. ! To base those beliefs on evidence and logic. ! To have clear and consistent goals. ! To act in such a way as to effectively realize those goals.
To have consistent beliefs. ! To base those beliefs on evidence and logic. ! To have clear and consistent goals. ! To act in such a way as to effectively realize those goals. Does rationality entail selfishness?
To have consistent beliefs. ! To base those beliefs on evidence and logic. ! To have clear and consistent goals. ! To act in such a way as to effectively realize those goals. Does rationality entail selfishness? Psychological egoism says “yes.”
. . p1 When I make a decision it can only be for my own reasons – since I make the decision. p2 Since these reasons are my reasons they must serve my interests.
. . p1 When I make a decision it can only be for my own reasons – since I make the decision. p2 Since these reasons are my reasons they must serve my interests. c So all of my decisions must be selfish decisions.
. . p1 When I make a decision it can only be for my own reasons – since I make the decision. p2 Since these reasons are my reasons they must serve my interests. c So all of my decisions must be selfish decisions. This may seem like a reasonable argument.
. . p1 When I make a decision it can only be for my own reasons – since I make the decision. p2 Since these reasons are my reasons they must serve my interests. c So all of my decisions must be selfish decisions. This may seem like a reasonable argument. But isn’t there some equivocation going on here?
we should be able to find a selfish motive behind every apparently unselfish act. p2 We can in fact find a selfish motive behind every apparently unselfish act.
we should be able to find a selfish motive behind every apparently unselfish act. p2 We can in fact find a selfish motive behind every apparently unselfish act. c Thus psychological egoism is true.
we should be able to find a selfish motive behind every apparently unselfish act. p2 We can in fact find a selfish motive behind every apparently unselfish act. c Thus psychological egoism is true. Egoism claims to unmask morality as mere sentimentality and offers instead a hard-nosed “realism” about our motives.
we should be able to find a selfish motive behind every apparently unselfish act. p2 We can in fact find a selfish motive behind every apparently unselfish act. c Thus psychological egoism is true. Egoism claims to unmask morality as mere sentimentality and offers instead a hard-nosed “realism” about our motives. How does this work out as an argument though – is it even valid?
any apparently altruistic act. People give to charity for tax breaks . . . Heros are after fame and thrills . . . Volunteers are padding their resumes . . .
any apparently altruistic act. People give to charity for tax breaks . . . Heros are after fame and thrills . . . Volunteers are padding their resumes . . . ! Does it follow that these are the only motives?
any apparently altruistic act. People give to charity for tax breaks . . . Heros are after fame and thrills . . . Volunteers are padding their resumes . . . ! Does it follow that these are the only motives? ! Is the claim that there are always such motives falsifiable?
Testing a theory requires looking for disconfirming instances: trying to falsify it. ! If a theory can explain away any disconfirmation it is non-falsifiable, not testable and so meaningless.
Testing a theory requires looking for disconfirming instances: trying to falsify it. ! If a theory can explain away any disconfirmation it is non-falsifiable, not testable and so meaningless. ! Is psychological egoism thus non-falsifiable since an egoist can always come up with a hidden motive for any altruistic act?
all value in human life – it is what distinguishes us from animals. p2 When you put others first you deny your own value. c This makes ethics inherently wrong, and shows why selfish action is alone valuable.
all value in human life – it is what distinguishes us from animals. p2 When you put others first you deny your own value. c This makes ethics inherently wrong, and shows why selfish action is alone valuable. This argument was offered by the advocate of “the virtue of selfishness” Ayn Rand (1905–1982).
all value in human life – it is what distinguishes us from animals. p2 When you put others first you deny your own value. c This makes ethics inherently wrong, and shows why selfish action is alone valuable. This argument was offered by the advocate of “the virtue of selfishness” Ayn Rand (1905–1982). Is there no value in cooperation – is life really a zero sum game?
best social outcome: greater wealth, innovation, etc. p2 The best way to encourage competition is to pursue selfish gain, ignoring the losers. c So we are justified in pursuing exclusively private, selfish goals.
best social outcome: greater wealth, innovation, etc. p2 The best way to encourage competition is to pursue selfish gain, ignoring the losers. c So we are justified in pursuing exclusively private, selfish goals. But without some intervention in competitive arenas, early winners dominate and undermine competition.
best social outcome: greater wealth, innovation, etc. p2 The best way to encourage competition is to pursue selfish gain, ignoring the losers. c So we are justified in pursuing exclusively private, selfish goals. But without some intervention in competitive arenas, early winners dominate and undermine competition. How can an argument for selfishness be based on concern for all of us?!
! Ethical: we should all be selfish and should never put others first. consequences " Psychological: ethics is impossible. " Ethical: ethics is wrong. " Both: selfishness is rational.
! Ethical: we should all be selfish and should never put others first. consequences " Psychological: ethics is impossible. " Ethical: ethics is wrong. " Both: selfishness is rational. arguments O My reasons are mine. O Reinterpreting motives. O Rand’s argument. O Capitalist’s argument.
! Ethical: we should all be selfish and should never put others first. consequences " Psychological: ethics is impossible. " Ethical: ethics is wrong. " Both: selfishness is rational. arguments O My reasons are mine. O Reinterpreting motives. O Rand’s argument. O Capitalist’s argument. evaluation Weak arguments. Psychological egoism fails as explanation of behavior. Ethical egoism misses value of helping others.
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