Egoism vs Altruism

ethical egoism - individual

EVERYONE ought to act in MY OWN best self-interest

egoism

acting in one's own self interest

self-interest

promoting our own good

altruism

putting other's self-interest ahead of our own - we should help others regardless of whether or not we profit from doing so - sometimes at a cost to ourselves

ethical egoism - universal

EVERYONE should always act in HIS OR HER own best self-interest, regardless of the interests of others, unless their interests also serve his or her

universal ethical egoism - advantages

- easier to determine self-interest - encourages individual freedom and responsibility

avn rand - altruism is a vice

- helping others means not helping yourself - leads to self-denial, self-destruction, lack of self-worth - altruism is incompatible with the goal of happiness - assumes "absolutes"

universal ethical egoism - problems

- inconsistency (paradox) - absolute philosophy - helping others is morally wrong, even if it benefits me - inconsistent with helping professions - future generations

routine altruistic acts

- increase productivity - build trust - break down barrier between individuals - communication increases

altruism - ethic of care

- note and meet the needs of others - cultivates moral emotions - specific needs more important than universal needs - addresses private life not just public life - persons are both relational and interdependent ***treat people as if they are the ends***

ethical egoism

- we ought to always do those things that are in our best interest - even if it conflicts with other's interests - altruistic acts are not morally obligatory - avn rand - altruism is a vice

ethical egoism - personal

I out to act in MY OWN self-interest, but make no claims about what anyone else ought to do

psychological egoism

we always do what is in our best interest - donate to charity; volunteering - abraham Lincoln