What Is Ethical Egoism?
Ethical egoism is a philosophical concept premised on the ethical justification to do what is best for oneself. In general, ethical egoism argues that it is ethically correct to prioritize the individual self (I) above others. The question then becomes, does an action or inaction benefit the individual self? According to this concept, determining what benefits the self will then determine ethical justifications. In other words, an ethical obligation to "I" supersedes the ethical considerations of others.
It is important to note that ethical egoism, as opposed to other forms of egoism, claims that humans ought to be self-interested. Ethical egoism is considered a normative theory of ethics because it makes a moral judgment about what is ethically right or wrong. Because ethical calculations or consequences are factored in the end result to determine ethical conclusions, ethical egoism falls under the umbrella of consequential ethical theory. Simply put, the consequences for oneself determine what is ethically correct and what one ought to do.
To better understand ethical egoism, it bares to understand what ethical egoism is not. If the phrase "take one for the team" seems problematic, that is because it is at odds with the concept of ethical egoism. Rather than sacrifice oneself for the team, an individual ought to consider the consequences and do what is best for oneself. Therefore, ethical egoism differs from another consequential ethical theory, utilitarianism. Analyzing utilitarianism, Henry Sidgwick, the 19th-century philosopher who wrote The Methods of Ethics in 1874, advances the idea of egoism concerning utilitarianism's emphasis on the greatest good for the greatest number. Sidgwick applies his method of ethics to differentiate from what ought to be versus what is as it stands. Furthermore, Sidgwick's ethical study and emphasis on ought versus is continues as he tries to reconcile egoism with utilitarianism, even extending his ethical analysis to politics. Considering politics as Sidgwick does and its relationship to ethics is an essential argument against ethical egoism.
Individuals do not exist in a vacuum but rather as part of society. Hence, some would argue that an individual cannot separate oneself from societal conduct or norms. Therefore, cultural, societal, and even economic parameters determine one's self-interest. In other words, how do people objectively measure maximizing the good per each individual if every individual is exercising ethical egoism (what they ought to do in benefit of oneself) over other individuals? This argument can be advanced further by questioning whether an individual objectively knows what is best or can distinguish between short-term and long-term consequences. Otherwise, people are to conclude that there are no universal morals since each individual ought to pursue one's own self-interest different from the interest of others.
The Prisoner's Dilemma, a well-known philosophical thought experiment, illustrates ethical egoism and its practical application. Although the Prisoner's Dilemma has variations, the basic setup involves two alleged partners in crime now held prisoners (A and B) in two separate cells; the two prisoners cannot coordinate with one another. Whichever prisoner confesses guilt will minimize the potential years sentenced. Keep in mind that the prisoners have no way of coordinating or knowing what the other prisoner will do.
This model complicates any comfortable notions about self-interest. It may appear evident that a confession from one prisoner to minimize a prison sentence would be in that prisoner's best self-interest; however, upon closer inspection, both prisoners would be better served not to confess. In other words, if both prisoners keep from confessing, then neither will have confessed to the alleged crime. Hence, their best self-interest is to act against their best self-interest; in addition, to act on one's best self-interest by confessing is not in one's best self-interests. Yes, it is counterintuitive and points to the contradictory possibilities within ethical egoism. Therefore, the Prisoner's Dilemma interrogates whether ethical egoism across the board with everyone acting in self-interest would be the best for everyone.
Psychological egoism is a philosophical concept that claims humans, by nature, are selfish and motivated by self-interest. In general, regardless of being fully aware or not, individuals will ultimately act in their self-interest by default. There are no ethical considerations, less so ethical obligations, to be self-interested. Humans are already predisposed to act in their self-interests; human nature is selfishness according to psychological egoism.
The philosopher Thomas Hobbes, who authored Leviathan in 1651, claimed that humans are rationally self-interested by nature. Therefore, psychological egoism must be considered when evaluating moral and political philosophy. Moreover, psychological egoism pervades all individuals in a state of nature. Thus, unchecked humans would war against one another, fighting for power and resources. However, due to individuals being rationally self-interested, it would be in the best interest of each individual to enter into a social contract, according to Hobbes. For example, we respect the property and wellbeing of others only as far as it preserves our own property and wellbeing. Psychology egoism persists, whether in a state of nature or a society of laws because human self-interest will drive humans to fight for self-preservation and resources or contractually recognize an authority that ensures self-preservation and resources.
See more here:
Ethical Egoism vs. Psychological Egoism | What is Ethical Egoism ...
- Egoism | Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2016] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2016]
- PHILOSOPHY Ethics [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2016] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2016]
- Ethical Egoism - Seven Pillars Institute [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2016] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2016]
- Egoism | Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2016] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2016]
- Ethical egoism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2016] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2016]
- Ethical Egoism - spot.colorado.edu [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2016] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2016]
- Ethics Updates - Ethical Egoism [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2016] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2016]
- Ethical Egoism - Drury University [Last Updated On: March 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: March 21st, 2016]
- Dr. Charles Kay Egoism [Last Updated On: March 23rd, 2016] [Originally Added On: March 23rd, 2016]
- Ethical Egoism - Lander University [Last Updated On: March 23rd, 2016] [Originally Added On: March 23rd, 2016]
- The Differences Between Utilitarianism & Ethical Egoism [Last Updated On: June 7th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 7th, 2016]
- Ethical egoism - RationalWiki [Last Updated On: June 7th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 7th, 2016]
- The Differences Between Utilitarianism & Ethical Egoism [Last Updated On: June 8th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 8th, 2016]
- Ayn Rand - Ethical Egoism [Last Updated On: June 8th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 8th, 2016]
- Ethical Egoism - Carnegie Mellon University [Last Updated On: June 13th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 13th, 2016]
- Ethical Egoism - University of Colorado Boulder [Last Updated On: June 17th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 17th, 2016]
- Ethical Egoism and Biblical Self-Interest | Papers at ... [Last Updated On: June 26th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 26th, 2016]
- Psychological Egoism vs Ethical Egoism | Flow Psychology [Last Updated On: June 27th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 27th, 2016]
- Ethical Egoism and Biblical Self-Interest | Papers at ... [Last Updated On: June 27th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 27th, 2016]
- Psychological Egoism vs Ethical Egoism | Flow Psychology [Last Updated On: June 28th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 28th, 2016]
- Psychological Egoism - Philosophy Home Page [Last Updated On: July 10th, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 10th, 2016]
- Egoism - Queensborough Community College [Last Updated On: July 10th, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 10th, 2016]
- Ethical Egoism - College Essays - 1656 Words - StudyMode [Last Updated On: July 10th, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 10th, 2016]
- Egoism - New World Encyclopedia [Last Updated On: July 10th, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 10th, 2016]
- Dave's Philosophy - Ethics: Ethical Egoism & Altruism [Last Updated On: August 10th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 10th, 2016]
- Ethical Egoism - Education [Last Updated On: September 20th, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 20th, 2016]
- Ethical Egoism - Mega Essays [Last Updated On: October 29th, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 29th, 2016]
- Rational egoism - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: November 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 21st, 2016]
- Psychological Egoism - University of Idaho [Last Updated On: December 7th, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 7th, 2016]
- Psychological Egoism | Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy [Last Updated On: December 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 21st, 2016]
- Comparing Psychological & Ethical Egoism - Study.com [Last Updated On: December 25th, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 25th, 2016]
- Consequentialism - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: December 25th, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 25th, 2016]
- More than a game: ND Ethics Week examines sports and the common good - ND Newswire [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- THE BACKSTORY: How Trump got to yes on Gorusch -- PLAYBOOK EXCLUSIVE: PETRAEUS warns US ... - Politico [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Lecture series explores ethics in sports industry - Observer Online [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- The Weakness and wickedness of Kiir's Administration: South Sudan in political and ethnic crisis - Borglobe [Last Updated On: February 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 25th, 2017]
- Rebel Crossings by Sheila Rowbotham review feminist utopian dreams - The Guardian [Last Updated On: February 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 25th, 2017]
- Human Nature, Morality, & Salvation Jewish Theology Pt. IV - Patheos (blog) [Last Updated On: February 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 25th, 2017]
- A Jewish Social Vision Jewish Theology, Pt. VI - Patheos (blog) [Last Updated On: March 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 4th, 2017]
- Reinhold Niebuhr and our common good - Bowling Green Daily News [Last Updated On: March 5th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 5th, 2017]
- Pope Francis, Religion, Capitalism, and Ayn Rand - The Objective Standard [Last Updated On: March 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 8th, 2017]
- In defence of hedonism - Irish Times [Last Updated On: March 29th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 29th, 2017]
- Ahmad Zahid: Satirism is not a Malaysian culture - Yahoo News - Yahoo News [Last Updated On: April 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 15th, 2017]
- Debate: Is Ayn Rand right about rights? - Learn Liberty (blog) [Last Updated On: April 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 17th, 2017]
- Here's What Happens When the US and Mexico Fight - Americas Quarterly [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2017]
- Psychological Egoism and Ethical Egoism [Last Updated On: May 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 11th, 2017]
- Ethical issues in Nigeria's higher education and governance - Nigeria Today [Last Updated On: May 26th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 26th, 2017]
- Are These 5 Grievances About Millennials Character Strengths? - monroviaweekly [Last Updated On: May 26th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 26th, 2017]
- 'Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt' Season Three Proves It's The Smartest Show On Television - Decider [Last Updated On: May 26th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 26th, 2017]
- Are These 5 Grievances About Millennials Character Strengths? - Siera Madre Weekly [Last Updated On: May 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 28th, 2017]
- Considerations for Planning Humanitarian Operations in Hybrid Warfare - smallwarsjournal [Last Updated On: May 30th, 2017] [Originally Added On: May 30th, 2017]
- Why Is It Difficult to Live Together in Differences? (A Reflection) - Netralnews [Last Updated On: June 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 1st, 2017]
- Free ethical relativism Essays and Papers - 123helpme [Last Updated On: June 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 1st, 2017]
- 'Wounded but not dead' Cassola says AD right in not joini... - MaltaToday [Last Updated On: June 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 6th, 2017]
- Mailbag: The limits of ethical egoism - Albany Democrat Herald [Last Updated On: June 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 23rd, 2017]
- Orwell vs Huxley vs Zamyatin: Who would win a dystopian fiction contest? - Scroll.in [Last Updated On: June 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 25th, 2017]
- egoism | philosophy | Britannica.com [Last Updated On: June 30th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 30th, 2017]
- IDF Medics to Learn Groundbreaking Trauma Procedure - Breaking Israel News [Last Updated On: July 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 17th, 2017]
- The Courage to Face a Lifetime: On the Enduring Value of Ayn Rand's Philosophy - IAI News [Last Updated On: July 27th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 27th, 2017]
- On Albert Einstein's peaceful musings - The Livingston County News [Last Updated On: July 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 28th, 2017]
- Egoism: Examples and Definition | Philosophy Terms [Last Updated On: August 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 9th, 2017]
- You say you want a revolution - Boulder Weekly [Last Updated On: August 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 25th, 2017]
- US Expels Cuban Diplomats for Threatening National Security - Headlinez Pro [Last Updated On: September 24th, 2019] [Originally Added On: September 24th, 2019]
- Beyond the chorus of indignation - The Jerusalem Post [Last Updated On: October 24th, 2019] [Originally Added On: October 24th, 2019]
- mile Durkheim and the Religion of Liberal Democracy - Tablet Magazine [Last Updated On: November 17th, 2019] [Originally Added On: November 17th, 2019]
- What Is Ethical Egoism? - ThoughtCo [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2019]
- Ethical Egoism Theory Explained - HRF [Last Updated On: February 29th, 2020] [Originally Added On: February 29th, 2020]
- 15 Important Pros and Cons of Ethical Egoism ConnectUS [Last Updated On: April 9th, 2020] [Originally Added On: April 9th, 2020]
- On the Mode of Existence of Smart Urban Object - ArchDaily [Last Updated On: May 24th, 2020] [Originally Added On: May 24th, 2020]
- Vladimir Putin: The real lessons of the 75th anniversary of World War II - The New Times [Last Updated On: June 20th, 2020] [Originally Added On: June 20th, 2020]
- 75th Anniversary of the Great Victory: Shared Responsibility to History and our Future - New Europe [Last Updated On: June 20th, 2020] [Originally Added On: June 20th, 2020]
- The Difference Between Ethical Egoism & Ethical ... [Last Updated On: August 8th, 2020] [Originally Added On: August 8th, 2020]
- Book Review: Philanthropy - Can the rich save the world? - Independent Catholic News [Last Updated On: January 5th, 2021] [Originally Added On: January 5th, 2021]
- North Korea criticises nations for piling up the excessive supply of COVID-19 vaccines - WION [Last Updated On: June 6th, 2021] [Originally Added On: June 6th, 2021]
- Global Ethical Responsibility in the Context of Covid - Valdai Discussion Club [Last Updated On: July 2nd, 2021] [Originally Added On: July 2nd, 2021]
- Religious Diversity And Religious Revival Will Come Together OpEd - Eurasia Review [Last Updated On: July 14th, 2021] [Originally Added On: July 14th, 2021]
- The Goal of Yoga - Daily Pioneer [Last Updated On: July 14th, 2021] [Originally Added On: July 14th, 2021]
- My daughter no longer speaks to me or my husband, and mocked our family values. Do we cut her out of her $2 million inheritance? - MarketWatch [Last Updated On: July 29th, 2021] [Originally Added On: July 29th, 2021]
- Ch. 3: Ethical Egoism - Lucid Philosophy [Last Updated On: October 19th, 2021] [Originally Added On: October 19th, 2021]
- What Is Ethical Egoism and its Examples Example | GraduateWay [Last Updated On: December 23rd, 2021] [Originally Added On: December 23rd, 2021]