Ethical egoism states that we should put ourselves and our interests before those of others leading to the conclusion that. One has an obligation to pursue the interests of others one may even be required to sacrifice ones own. Another argument against egoism, from james rachels james rachels 19412003 a says egoism involves a unique form. Each person ought to pursue his or her selfinterest exclusively. Rachels egoism and moral skepticism provides us with strong arguments in favor of psychological and ethical egoism, which he effectively refutes by highlighting their weaknesses. These two ethical standpoints are different in that psychological egoism is more about how people think while ethical egoism is about how people ought to think. But their account of ayn rands objectivist ethical theory and. Psychological egoism, by contrast, asserts that each person does in fact pursue his or her own selfinterest exclusively. Chapter 5 e thical egoism the achievement of his own happiness is. Ethical egoism is, by contrast, a normative view about how men ought to act. James rachels two arguments against ethical egoism 1. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. It is generally agreed that this sort of unselfish behavior is sometimes required by morality, although there is considerable disagreement as to how much of it is required. Ethical egoism is the radical idea that the principle of selfinterest accounts for all of ones moral obligations sometimes ones interests may happen to coincide with the interests of othersin that by helping oneself, one will coincidentally help them, too.
Ethical egoism is a theory about how people ought to act. See james rachelss chapter on ethical egoism in e elements of moral. Ethical egoism is the normative ethical position that moral agents ought to act in their own. Egoism is a teleological theory of ethicist that sets its goal the benefit, pleasure, or greatest good of oneself alone. Theory and practice the idea that some things are fine in theory, but do not work in practice, was already an. Ethical egoism rejects ordinary assumption that other peoples interests count for their own sake. Rachels also said that to say that any action or policy of action is right entails that it is. Kay according to james rachels, there are two egos that need to be discussed and refuted.
Rachels states that most philosophers dismiss ethical egoism, and there isnt anyone who is seriously defending it. The elements of moral philosophy by james rachels and stuart rachels is a bestselling text for undergraduate courses in ethics. Rachels argues that ethical egoism cannot provide solutions for conflicts of interest we need moral rules because our interests some times come into conflict read pg 91 booklet and summarise in your own words this argument 16. We have no moral duty except to do what is best for ourselves. These two ethical standpoints are different in that psychological egoism is more about how people think while ethical egoism is. This worries me, because normally when im at odds with the people actually educated in a subject i try to figure out why im wrong. But even if it turns out to be false, there is still much to be learned from examining it, for. Elements of moral philosophy by james rachels 4th edition. James rachels describes the ethical theory of selfishness, ethical egoism, in his piece titled ethical egoism. Altruism normative and descriptive ethical theories commonsense view of morality. Another argument against egoism, from james rachels. Rather, i will argue that even if ethical egoism is a logically consistent doctrine, it is unacceptable on other. Egoism has two views, the psychological egoism and ethical egoism.
The elements of moral philosophy is a fabulous, nontechnical introduction to ethics. By nature, human beings do, as a matter of fact, tend to behave in whatever way they perceive as best promoting their own. Pdf selfinterest, ethical egoism, and the restored gospel. In egoism and moral skepticism by james rachels, the moral ideas of psychological egoism and ethical egoism are explained. Throughout my argument i will refer to thomas hobbes idea of social contract theory explained in depth in james rachels book the elements of moral philosophy as it is an.
Ethical egoism is a normative ethical theory, like actutilitarianism. Psychological egoism is the view that all men are selfish in everything that they do, that is, that the only motive from which anyone ever acts is selfinterest. Adding to this confusion is the fact that ethical egoists often base ethical egoism on the fact that psychological egoism is true. If it turns out to be true, then of course that is immensely important. James rachels and stuart rachels the elements of moral.
In egoism and moral skepticism, james rachels takes aim at egoism and suggests that it is actually a disturbing doctrine. James rachelsethical egoism we will examine the most important arguments for and against it. This essay originally appeared in the encyclopedia of ethics, 2nd edition, ed. The elements of moral philosophy ebook download free pdf. Thirteen thoughtprovoking chapters introduce readers to major moral concepts and theories in philosophy through clear, understandable explanations. What we know of another lifeand we can come to know a lot and empathize with many conditions and understand motivations for action, etc. Looking out for oneself ones own interests and looking out for others interests 2. Psychological egoism an action is altruistic when it involves making a personal sacrifice for the benefit of others.
The elements of moral philosophy on ethical egoism. In the elements of moral philosophy, james and stuart rachels gives the following definitions. It is the view that, regardless of how men do in fact behave, they have no obliga tion. Whatever plausibility psychological egoism has as a psychological theory should not be confused with. Oxford university press usa publishes scholarly works in all academic disciplines, bibles, music, childrens books, business books, dictionaries, reference. It is natural to be principally interested in the welfare of others descriptive claim ethical altruism.
Reprinted in james rachels, the legacy of socrates. This essay explores ethical egoism and the main arguments for. A critique of rachels argument against ethical egoism. Ethical egoism is the normative ethical position that moral agents ought to do what is in their in the words of james rachels, ethical egoism endorses selfishness, but it doesnt endorse. If ethical egoism is 7true, not only can you permissibly take the wallet and rob someone, you must. Many college philosophy classes today discuss ethical egoism.
One has an obligation to pursue solely what is best for oneself normative claim psychological altruism. Ethical egoism is the normative ethical position that moral agents ought to act in their own selfinterest. The main philosopher referenced in the rachels discussion of ethical egoism in elements is ayn rand. Terms in this set 9 rachels claims that ethical egoism is unacceptably arbitrary. The writing is clear and historically informed, the main schools of thought are covered, and rachels doesnt pretend that hes found all the answers to very difficult questions. Psychological egoism before we discuss ethical egoism, we should discuss a theory it is often confused withpsychological egoism. In his essay ethical egoism, james rachels evenhandedly considers several arguments for and against ethical egoism the moral position that one only ought to do what is in ones best interests before concluding that only his own argument against ethical egoism is fully sound. Chapter 5 of the elements of moral philosophy ethical egoism. How is this claim related to one of the claims for or against ethical egoism that.
Philosopher james rachelsin an essay that takes as its title the theorys name, outlines the three arguments most commonly touted in its favor. Ethical egoism and psychological egoism definitions. For its most recent presentation, see rachels and rachels 2019. The view isnt that we are selfishthis is psychological egoismbut that we ought to be. It differs from psychological egoism, which claims that people can only act in their selfinterest. The ethical theory known as ethical egoism states that we are always morally required to do whats in our own selfinterest. Before reading, i was naive and therefore indifferent to these concepts of egoism. Ethical egoism claims that each person ought to pursue his or her own selfinterest exclusively. Ethical egoism also differs from rational egoism, which holds that it is rational to act in ones selfinterest. Start studying chapter 5 of the elements of moral philosophy ethical egoism. He says that egoists are forgetting how fundamental sympathy is to the.