What is Ethical Egoism?
Are altruistic actions the result of ethical egoism?
Ethical egoism is the perception that people ought to pursue their self-interest, and no one is obliged to support other people’s interests. It argues that it is ethical for a person to engage in actions that will benefit them. Unlike ethical egoism, altruism advocates for supporting the desires and needs of others.
Ethical egoism is unpopular. It does not support helping others. It is also against the impartiality principle that prohibits discrimination based on race, gender, and sexuality. According to ethical egoism, people should discriminate and distinguish themselves. There are no solutions to conflicts of interest in ethical egoism. For instance, a company wants to emit hazardous gases, and people in the surroundings are against it. Ethical egoism will argue that the company should continue pursuing its interest regardless of the danger it poses to people’s health.
Altruism means helping others achieve their interest. Christianity and Islam support altruistic actions, and they believe in treating others well, just as you would like them to treat you. Ayn Rand opposed altruism and supported ethical egoism; he argued that no one has a right to demand people to help others. Ayn objected to the way religions were pushing for helping others. Those who engaged in altruistic actions were praised and encouraged. Altruism has even become a requirement whereby people pay taxes to help the needy.
There are three types of ethical egoism, and they include personal, individual, and universal ethical egoism; Personal ethical egoism argues that I should pursue my self-interest. Individual ethical egoism believes that everyone should pursue my self-interest. Universal ethical egoism emphasizes that everyone should pursue their interest.
According to Bernard Mandeville, pursuing self-interest brings about general good. Adam Smith argues that as people seek to gratify their desires, they unintentionally benefit the entire society. People are motivated to achieve their interests. They are the best judges of what is best for them. There are various objections to this point of view. Some people argue that it is not in support of ethical egoism.
Ethical egoism states that individuals should only be concerned about other people’s interests if it contributes to their interests. Although ethical egoism believes that it is morally right to take actions that benefit the doer, in some cases, it contributes to altruistic deeds. That occurs when one is striving to achieve their self-interest by serving others. For instance, a person may offer a service so that they can get money.
References
Regis Jr, Edward. “What is ethical egoism?.” Ethics 91.1 (1980): 50-62.
Rachels, James. “Ethical egoism.” Ethical theory: an anthology 14 (2012): 193.
