Ethical Egoism: The Morality of Self-Interest

Question 1 

This is the basic suggestion that people’s actions should always act on the basis of self-interest. Moral philosophy contains two forms of egoism and there exists a subtle difference between these categories. For the purposes of clarity and direction, it is necessary to focus on the other class of egoism. Subjective or psychological egoism refers to the notion that people act out of self-interest because they are incapable of acting differently (Crisp, 2015). The difference between these forms comes in the underlying intent of each definition. Considering the definition for the titled form, it directs people on how to behave. Conversely, subjective egoism seems to objectively describe that which already exists. Therefore, ethical egoism is prescriptive/normative while psychological egoism is descriptive.

There are several advantages and disadvantages associated with the titled form. Starting with the advantages, there is an argument that the pursuit of self-interest helps achieve general good. Notable proponents of this argument include the poet Bernard Mandeville and economist Alan Smith (Crisp, 2015). According to the latter, because people know what is in their best interests, they are better motivated in achieving their goals. From the definition above, it is readily apparent that ethical egoism fails to consider societal welfare. Therefore, this argument contravenes egoism. A second argument for ethical egoism is that acting in the interest of others erodes one’s sense of value in their own lives. Implied in this argument is the assumption of conflict between pursuing personal interests and aiding others (Gotthelf & Lennox, 2011). Moreover, people are inclined to help others provided the cost of aid is not high.

Conversely, there are also numerous disadvantages associated with ethical egoism. From an ethically egoistic viewpoint, everybody is morally obligated to act out of self-interest. However, a situation where everyone is only interested in furthering their personal cause inevitably has inconsistencies and higher likelihood of conflicts. Plainly, this makes it difficult for everyone to achieve their objectives (Tännsjö, 2013). Second, because people seek good lives, it is necessary to publicize the moral theories that achieve the same. In this instance, ethical egoism is one such theory. However, publicizing this theory only increases the likelihood of the situation already described in ethical egoism’s first challenge. Therefore, any rational egoist is better served by publicizing self-sacrificing moral theories and practicing egoistic principles in private. Here, this titled notion fails the publicity argument (Tännsjö, 2013). Significant joy and pleasure are commonly associated with relationships between family members and friends. Moreover, these relationships are also associated with selflessness. Equally, ethical egoism promotes acting on self-interests as the only means of achieving joy and pleasure. Essentially, it is impossible to practice egoism and access the satisfaction present in meaningful relationships because such relationships need selflessness (Crisp, 2015). These are some of the drawbacks associated with ethical egoism.

Question 2 

To answer this question, it is necessary to go back to one of the arguments commonly advanced in support of ethical egoism. Specifically, the argument that this form of egoism enhances personal value in one’s life and its assumption of conflict between personal interests and helping others. Typically, people are ready to help provided the cost of providing aid is not high for them. Therefore, people have the ability to help others and provided their self-interests are not compromised, they are capable of altruism (Crisp, 2015). People commonly observe a balance between acting selflessly and selfishly. Hence, people practicing ethical egoism retain their capacity for altruism. 

References

Crisp, R. (2015).  The Oxford handbook of the history of ethics . Oxford: Oxford University Press

Gotthelf, A., & Lennox, J. G. (2011).  Metaethics, egoism, and virtue: Studies in Ayn Rand's normative theory . Pittsburgh, Pa: University of Pittsburgh Press.

Tännsjö, T. (2013).  Understanding ethics . Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.