Ethical Egoism

Definition

Ethical egoism is the moral theory that holds that moral agents ought to do what is in their own self-interest. It is the view that individuals have a moral obligation to pursue their own well-being above all else, even if it comes at the expense of others.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Ethical egoism is often contrasted with altruism, which holds that individuals have a moral obligation to help others, even at a cost to themselves.
2. Proponents of ethical egoism argue that it is the most rational and practical approach to morality, as it aligns with the natural human tendency to pursue one's own interests.
3. Critics of ethical egoism argue that it can lead to a society where individuals disregard the needs of others and engage in harmful or exploitative behavior.
4. Ethical egoism is often associated with the philosophy of Ayn Rand, who argued that rational self-interest is the foundation of a just and prosperous society.
5. Some philosophers have proposed a version of ethical egoism called 'enlightened self-interest,' which suggests that individuals can often best serve their own interests by also considering the interests of others.

Review Questions

• Explain how the principle of ethical egoism relates to the basic questions about values discussed in Section 8.2.
  • Ethical egoism is directly relevant to the basic questions about values discussed in Section 8.2, as it posits that the ultimate moral value is the pursuit of one's own self-interest. This contrasts with other moral theories that may prioritize the interests of others or the greater good. Ethical egoists would argue that the most fundamental moral question is what actions will best serve the individual's own well-being, rather than what actions are morally right or good in an absolute sense.
• Analyze how the requirements of a normative moral theory, as outlined in Section 9.1, would apply to the ethical egoism framework.
  • Ethical egoism faces challenges in meeting the requirements of a normative moral theory as described in Section 9.1. While it may provide clear and consistent guidance for individuals on how to act (the requirement of normative guidance), its focus on self-interest rather than universal principles or the greater good raises questions about its impartiality and universalizability. Ethical egoists would likely argue that their theory is grounded in reason and human nature (the requirement of rational justification), but critics would contend that it fails to adequately consider the interests of others and society as a whole.
• Evaluate how the consequentialist approach outlined in Section 9.2 relates to the ethical egoism framework, and identify potential areas of tension or compatibility.
  • The consequentialist approach described in Section 9.2, which judges the morality of an action based on its outcomes, may have some compatibility with ethical egoism. Ethical egoists would likely argue that the most moral course of action is the one that produces the best consequences for the individual, even if it comes at the expense of others. However, this could create tension with the consequentialist emphasis on impartiality and the consideration of all affected parties. Ethical egoists may be criticized for focusing solely on their own interests, rather than the overall well-being of society. Resolving this tension would require ethical egoists to either expand their conception of self-interest to include the indirect benefits of considering others, or to reject the core tenets of consequentialism.

Related terms

Enlightened Self-Interest: The idea that by pursuing one's own interests, an individual can also benefit others and society as a whole, creating a win-win situation.

Altruism: The principle or practice of concern for the welfare of others, often at the expense of one's own well-being.

Moral Relativism:

The view that moral judgments are relative to the individual or culture, rather than being absolute or universal.