Transcript Smith’s Invisible Hand

Ethical Egoism
Introduction to Philosophy
Jason M. Chang
Lecture Outline
1.
Introduction to egoism
2.
Two arguments for egoism
A.
B.
3.
Human nature argument
Virtue of selfishness argument
Objections to ethical egoism
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
Introduction to egoism
Misconceptions about ethical
egoism
•
Ethical egoism does not say we
should simply follow our short term
wants or desires
Mistake #1: Egoism says that
we should simply do whatever
we want
Introduction to egoism
Misconceptions about ethical
egoism
•
Ethical egoism does not preclude
giving money to homeless
Mistake #2: Egoism precludes
helping others
Introduction to egoism
Misconceptions about ethical
egoism
•
Ethical egoism does not preclude
following the law
Mistake #3: Egoism precludes
following the law
Human nature argument
for ethical egoism
Human nature argument
Thomas Hobbes
Features of the argument
Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679)
•
Assumes that “ought” implies “can”
•
Appeals to human nature
Human nature argument
What is a human being’s natural
state?
•
•
•
•
Selfish?
Benevolent?
Good?
Evil?
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?
Human nature argument
The state of nature, according to Hobbes,
would be…
“nasty, brutish, and short”
Human nature argument
Major claim in the human nature
argument
Humans are naturally selfish
•
Innate
•
Immutable
Human nature argument
Reasons for this claim
•
Hobbes’ state of nature
•
Newborn babies
•
Studies in psychology
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]
Virtues of selfishness
argument for ethical egoism
Virtue of selfishness argument
Ayn Rand
Features of the argument
Ayn Rand (1905-1982)
•
Appeals to the human good
•
Human good = perfection of oneself
Virtue of selfishness argument
Features of the argument
Ayn Rand (1905-1982)
•
Selflessness as a vice
•
Selfishness as a virtue
Virtue of selfishness argument
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 to human nature
argument
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 selfinterest 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.
Objections to ethical egoism
Confusing two ideas
Helping others for
personal satisfaction
Motive  Gain personal
satisfaction
Personal satisfaction
from helping others
Motive  To help others
Objection to virtue of
selfishness argument
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 selfinterest 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.
Objections to ethical egoism
First criticism of (P2)
Jones has an overwhelming passion
for, a complete preoccupation with,
his own happiness and selfperfection.
Does Jones live a good life?
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