Ethical Egoism and Psychological Egoism - Essay Example

The concept of ‘egoism’ is generally applied to suggest “exclusive concern with satisfying one’s own desires, getting what one wants”(Shaw, 1999, 267). Furthermore, ‘egoism’ is applied in ethical reflections of how individuals live or have to live. It is hence commonly addressed by the notions ‘ethical’ and ‘psychological’ (Pojman & Fieser, 2008, 82).

Ethical egoism claims that an individual should profit oneself, essentially. The exact connotation of ethical egoism also relies upon the nature of the ego. On the other hand, psychological egoism is the assertion that individuals consistently act inconsiderately or selfishly, to promote their own happiness or motives. Psychological hedonism is the assertion that individuals consistently act to achieve their own gratification and keep away from pain (Singer, 1993).  The Difference between Ethical Egoism and Psychological Egoism As an empirical premise psychological egoism poses the hasty generalization fallacy.

The explanatory psychological rule that all individuals act because of self-interest is fallacious for the reason that there are numerous disproving conditions. For instance, some individuals will take actions against their self-interest with the intention of satisfying their conscience. Although they will not benefit from doing the right thing they still do it. Moreover, if psychological egoism is asserted to contain no disproving conditions from the description of the concept, then the simplification becomes a tautology or irrelevantly factual statement (Ingen, 1994).

For instance, a person sacrifices his/her life to save his/her loved ones. The psychological egoists would argue that the act is in fact in the interest of the sacrificing individual because s/he could not live with himself/herself if he did not give up his own life or s/he thought of sacrificing his/her life so that s/he would be revered as a hero. Regardless of the action put forth as an omission to generalization, people can constantly justify that the action was taken for the fulfillment of self-interest.