Ethical and Psychological Egoism - Term Paper Example

Ethical and Psychological Egoism Instructions: A. Identify and describe the theories of: 1. Ethical Egoism 2. Psychological Egoism Psychological Egoism is the claim that self interest or selfishness is the ultimate motivation of human action This philosophical viewpoint stresses that self love stands at the core of all of our acts in such a way that the most influential motive of our behavior is self interest or selfishness in our main concern of welfare, preservation and happiness. In this philosophical perspective people are only motivated to act from self-interest or selfish reasons. (LaFave, 2004; Shaver, 2002). Ethical Egoism is the assertion that people should always act selfishly or in their own self interest. According to this philosophical standpoint it is morally correct to take self interest or selfish motives as our guiding principle for action. Not to do so would be morally incorrect so the satisfaction of our self interest or selfish needs is the main objective of Ethical Egoism. (LaFave, 2004; Shaver, 2002). B. Identify and explain the fallacy of Psychological Egoism. The theory of Psychological Egoism shows many inconsistencies, and it can be seen that it is incomplete as a valid theory after a careful study of its implications. It is a fallacy due to some fundamental reasons. One reason is the fact that usually people do what they don’t wnt to do. Actions of this type include actions that are a means to an end, like going to college in order to get a good job, working to get a paycheck, etc., and actions that are motivated as a result of a duty or obligation like keeping a promise, staying in good health, etc. (James Rachels cited by Lander University, no date). On the other hand, Alexander Moseley (2006), studies David Hume’s arguments against Psychological Egoism as follows: “First, Hume argues that self-interest opposes moral sentiments that may engage one in concern for others, and, may motivate one’s actions for others. These moral sentiments include love, friendship, compassion, and gratitude. Second, psychological egoism attempts to reduce human motivation to a single cause, which is a ‘fruitless’ task—the "love of simplicity…has been the source of much false reasoning in philosophy." Third, it is evident that animals act benevolently towards one another, and, if it is admitted that animals can act altruistically, then how can it be denied in humans? Fourth, the concepts we use to describe benevolent behavior cannot be meaningless; sometimes an agent obviously does not have a personal interest in the fortune of another, yet will wish her well. Any attempt to create an imaginary vested interest, as the psychological egoist will attempt, proves futile. Fifth, Hume asserts that we have prior motivations to self-interest; we may have, for example, a predisposition towards vanity, fame, or vengeance that transcends any benefit to the agent. Finally, Hume claims that even if the selfish hypothesis were true, there are a sufficient number of dispositions to generate a wide possibility of moral actions, allowing one person to be called vicious and another humane; and he claims that the latter is to be preferred over the former.” (Moseley, 2006). C. Discuss the strong and the weak versions of Ethical Egoism. (Note: This item is NOT asking for the strengths and weakness of the theory. It is asking for information about the STRONG version of Ethical Egoism and the WEAK version of Ethical Egoism.) Moseley (2006) explains the weak and strong versions of Ethical Egoism as follows: “In the strong version, it is held that it is always moral to promote one’s own good, and it is never moral not to promote it. In the weak version, it is said that although it is always moral to promote one’s own good, it is not necessarily never moral to not. That is, there may be conditions in which the avoidance of personal interest may be a moral action.” The strong version does not allow a suitable place for altruistic actions or for actions in favor of the interest of others, and it can even hold self-destructive actions like suicide if taken up to its ultimate implications. The weak version is more flexible and realistic as it allows some space for altruistic actions or for actions that can help the welfare of others. As it is logical to see, the weak version of Ethical Egoism is much more tolerant than the strong version. D. Discuss the differences between Ethical Egoism and Psychological Egoism. The main difference between Psychological Egoism and Ethical Egoism is related to their different natures. Psychological Egoism is a descriptive theory while Ethical Egoism is a normative or prescreptive one. Most of the ethical egoists think that psychological egoism implies Ethical Egoism because they need a sound descreptive theory of ethics in order to validate their ethical position. LaFave (2004), Shaver (2002), and other authors shows with sound counter-arguements that both Psychological Egoism and Ethical Egoism have serious inconsistencies in their theoretical frameworks. E. Contrast the doctrines of motivation for each theory. There is a wide spectrum of motivation theories (ChangingMinds.Org, 2002-2007). The Acquired Needs Theory states that we seek power, achievement or affiliation. Psychological and ethical egoists are faced with great dilemmas according to that theory because in order to fulfill its goals everybody needs the cooperation of others. The Consistency Theory holds that we seek the comfort of internal alignment, which is difficult for the psychological and ethical egoists to achieve due to their conflictive standpoint as they have to interact with other people in society. The Control Theory asserts that we seek to control the world around us. This is a motivation theory that is favorably accepted by psychological and ethical egoists as it gives them a false sense of inner satisfaction dealing with others. The Intrinsic Motivation theory states that we seek internal value-based rewards. This is also a theory that psychological and ethical egoists might accept willingly. One of the most widely recognized theories is Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs (Stuart-Kotze, 2008). At some point this theory could be reinterpreted by psychological and ethical egoist to be adapted in their favor according to their worldview, but in the long run Maslow’s theory implies the satisfaction of the needs of other people around us in order to satisfy some of our most relevant needs as this is a humanistic motivation theory. F. Conclude with a brief discussion on the differences between selfishness and self-interest. What makes a person believe that they can go out and do the very thing they desire in life? Why does it have to be about what the world thinks of them instead of how they themselves view the world? Self-interest refers to actions that help our welfare in a healthy and natural way, but selfishness refers to actions that favor our welfare in detriment of the interests of other people. Self-interest implies positive endeavors that are necessary for our own preservation and development while selfishness implies negative actions against people we normally interact with in society including close people as our relatives, friends and peers. J. Francis Stafford (no date) argues in favor of the Christian ethics. Psychological Egoism is aimed at invalidating any estándard ethical theory such as the Christian ethics, which it is grounded on two fundamental principles: Matthew 7:12: "In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 19:19b, and other verses: “…You shall love your neighbor as yourself." (New American Standard Bible, 1960-1995). Works Cited ChangingMinds.Org. (2002-2007). “Motivation Theories”. February 8, 2008. . LaFave, Sandra. (June 22, 2004). “Psychological Egoism and Ethical Egoism”. West Valley College. February 6, 2008. . Lander University. (No date). “Humans Are Not Always Selfish”. Philosophy 102: Introduction to Philosophical Inquiry. February 6, 2008. . Moseley, Alexander. (2006). “Egoism”. Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy (IEP). February 6, 2008. . New American Standard Bible. (1960-1995). “Bible”. The Lockman Foundation. February 7, 2008. . Shaver, Robert. (Winter, 2002). "Egoism". The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Edward N. Zalta (ed.). February 6, 2008. . Stafford, J. Francis. (No date). “Foundational Norms for Christian Ethics”. February 8, 2008. . Stuart-Kotze, Robin. (2008). “Motivation Theory”. February 8, 2008. . Read More