Module 3 Egoism

The motivational form of psychological egoism asserts that A. motive of action is less important than the consequences B. we always try to do what we think is in our self-interest C. We always in fact do what is in our self-interest D. It is impossible for human beings to act against their self-interest

B

Laissze-Faire Capitalism

By Adam Smith -Capitalism with minimal gov't regulation or intervention -Self-interest provides the best economic motivation -When the profit motive or individual incentives are absent, people either not work or don't work as well

Pyschological egoism a. holds that each of us ought to act in his own best interest b denies that human beings are self-motivated c is a theory about human nature, about why people act as they do d all of these

C

According to Hobbes, its generally true that humans A. are equal in body, not mind B. are equal in mind, not body C. desire to be equal with others mentally and physically D. are equal in both mind and body

D

The Prisoner's Dilemma

For the prisoners, the best option is if they coordinate their choices and both refuse to betray eachother -If they suspect each other to be self-interestred egoists, they will not trust eachother

Ethical egoism is a descriptive theory since it tells us how people in fact act True or false

False

Psychological egoism is a normative theory, since it tells us what motivates people to act as they do True or false

False

The story of Mr. Lincoln and the pigs is supposed to illustrate the truth of moral philosophy of altruism, doing good for others True or false

False

Explain how the prisoner's dilemna can be used in discussions of egoism and cooperative endeavor

If both prisoners cooperate and do not give eachother up, they can both be set free. Thus it would be in each of their own best interest to not give each other up.

In what sense does the argument for ethical egoism based on economics support not egoism but utiliarianism?

It supports utilitarianism if the reason why we ought to care for others is that this would be in the best interest of the greatest number rather than in the best interest of the agent of action

Hobbes social contract

Its rational for self-interested individuals to join together and submit to the rule of law in order to ensure that promises are kept and that social cooperation will occur -In a state of nature, individuals would be equal in terms of strength since weak individuals can band together or use sneak attacks to overpower stronger people -Conflict arises when equally powerful individuals seek the same thing and will become enemies -As a result, the state of nature will be war -People must give up certain things to better secure self-interest -Absolute sovereign ruler is required

What is meant by taking the moral point of view?

One meaning is that a person will try to consider and do what is morally rright regardless if it is in his or her own best interest. Another is that one be impartial an consider things from some posisble disinterested perspective rather than from one's own POV

To prove that the motivational version of psychological egoism is true, what must be shown?

One must show that we are always motivated by desire to do what is in our best interest

Give 2 different formulations or versions of psychological egoism and ethical egoism

One version says that we basically act in our own best interest and another says that we atleast try to do so but may not always do what we think is in our own best interest. Two version of ethical egoism are that I alone ought to do only what is in my own best interest and that which holds that everyone ought to do only what is in his or her best interest

Explain the difference between psychological egoism and ethical egoism

Pyschological egoism is a descriptive theory about how we behave while ethical egoism is a normative theory about how we ought to behave

How does the example of the ring of Gyges illustrate the question why be moral?

The Ring of Gyges raises the issue of whether we would do the right thing if we could get away with doing the wrong thing. It asks whether he have any reason to do what is right when it is not in our own best interest to do so.

Summarize the arguments regarding the consistency or inconsistency of ethical egoism

The problem is that everyone should act only in their own best interest runs into contradictions. The person who holds the theory wil do what is only in his own interest but he must accept that others will not do what is in his best interest but their own. He seems to want two contradictory things, that they help him and that they do not help him if its not in their own best interest

How is psychological egoism supposed to provide support for an argument for ethical egoism? What is one problem for this argument?

This argument for ethical egoism tries to show that because we do seek onlny our own best interest thus we ought to do so. One problem with this argument is that it is based on the general idea that becuase we do seek something then we ought to do so, that the very fact that we do behave in a certain way is a good reason to hold that we ought to behave in this way

According to Hobbes, good is simply the satisfaction of desire, and evil is whatever one hates or finds aversive True or false

True

According to ethical egoism, we have no duty to help others if doing so conflict with out self-interest True or false

True

Hobbes argues that since people are equal in mind and body, conflict is bound to occur among human beings True or false

True

The view that everyone ought to take care of himself because this world would work to the benefit of all is not egoism but a form of utilitarianism True or false

True

How should we treat others according to ethical egoists?

We ought to treat others in ways that promote self-flourishing There are better and worse ways to relate to others

Altruism

concern for the well-being of others

Egoists

concerned with their own well-being

Psychological egoist

description of how and why human beings in fact behave the good amounts to the satisfaction of desire which is subjective

reciprocal altruism

holds that altruistic behaviour makes snese for self-interested people when it is repaid in kind

ethical egoism

holds that is is good for people to pursue their own self-interest -normative theory -some versions hold that altruism is misguided and wrong

Psychologoical egoism or descriptive egoism

holds that people are basically self-centered or selfish, they pursue their own self-interest -A view about how people behave or why they do what they do -descriptive theory

Ethical egoist

offers a view of how we ought to behave Not all desires are good to satisfy There is an objective standard of good independant of desire

How should one live life according to ethical egoists?

one ought to live one's life as intelligently as possible, rationally too. We have to navigate via our intelligence. Thus moral life is guided by reason Simply doing what one wants or desires may not be in one's self-interest

What is human nature like according to ethical egoists? The essence of being human

our rationality, intellect, and capacity to solve problems intelligently for understanding and explaining things

weakness of will or akrasia

people don't have the will to achieve a goal

Social contract theory

social rules result fromm agreements amount rational, self-interested individuals

pardox of hedonism

the impulse toward pleasure, if too predominant, defeats its own aim

Love

what men deesire -Hobbes

Hate

what men have an aversion for -Hobbes