Chapter 8 Ethical Egoism 2021 Ethical Egoism Ethical

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Chapter 8: Ethical Egoism © 2021

Chapter 8: Ethical Egoism © 2021

Ethical Egoism Ethical egoism states: Actions are morally right just because they best promote

Ethical Egoism Ethical egoism states: Actions are morally right just because they best promote one's self-interest. Actions are morally wrong just because they fail to promote one’s self-interest. Psychological egoism is one possible source of support for ethical egoism, but one can be an ethical egoist without being a psychological egoist. © 2021

A Challenge for Ethical Egoism The Argument from Paradigm Cases 1) If an ethical

A Challenge for Ethical Egoism The Argument from Paradigm Cases 1) If an ethical theory requires killing, raping, or stealing just because such actions promote self-interest, then that theory cannot be true. 2) Ethical egoism sometimes requires such things just because they sometimes do promote self-interest. 3) Thus, ethical egoism cannot be true. © 2021

A Challenge for Ethical Egoism (2) The argument from paradigm cases begs the question

A Challenge for Ethical Egoism (2) The argument from paradigm cases begs the question against the ethical egoist. But it does suggest that we should accept ethical egoism only if in the face of very compelling arguments. © 2021

Arguments for Ethical Egoism The Self-Reliance Argument 1. The most effective way of making

Arguments for Ethical Egoism The Self-Reliance Argument 1. The most effective way of making everyone better off is for each person to mind his own business, and tend only to his own needs. 2. We ought to take the most effective path to making everyone better off. 3. Therefore, we each ought to mind our own business and tend only to our own needs. © 2021

Arguments for Ethical Egoism (2) The Libertarian Argument Our moral duties have only two

Arguments for Ethical Egoism (2) The Libertarian Argument Our moral duties have only two sources: consent and reparation. Therefore, if I have not consented to help someone and owe him no reparation for harm, I'm not obligated to help him. But ethical egoists believe our moral duties have only one source: self-interest. So libertarianism and ethical egoism are inconsistent. © 2021

Arguments for Ethical Egoism (3) The Best Argument for Ethical Egoism 1) If you

Arguments for Ethical Egoism (3) The Best Argument for Ethical Egoism 1) If you are morally required to do something, then you have good reason to do it. 2) If there is good reason for you to do something, then doing it must make you better off. 3) Therefore, if you are morally required to do something, then doing it must make you better off. © 2021

Arguments for Ethical Egoism (4) Worry for the Best Argument for Ethical Egoism Premise

Arguments for Ethical Egoism (4) Worry for the Best Argument for Ethical Egoism Premise 2 is suspect. – (A) If an action makes you better off, then there is good reason for you to do it. – (B) If there is good reason for you to do an action, then doing it must make you better off. – (A) looks plausible. But (B) does not. And the Best Argument needs (B) © 2021

Problems for Ethical Egoism violates core moral beliefs. Egoism requires rape, murder, and torture

Problems for Ethical Egoism violates core moral beliefs. Egoism requires rape, murder, and torture whenever these are in our self-interest. © 2021

Problems for Ethical Egoism (2) Egoism cannot allow for the existence of moral rights.

Problems for Ethical Egoism (2) Egoism cannot allow for the existence of moral rights. Any harm whatsoever is justified if it is in a person's self-interest to commit it. © 2021

Problems for Ethical Egoism (3) Egoism arbitrarily makes my interests all-important. Egoism must explain

Problems for Ethical Egoism (3) Egoism arbitrarily makes my interests all-important. Egoism must explain what justifies an absolute bias in favor of our own interests over others'. © 2021