Topic > Egoism and Ethical Egoism - 772

Ethical egoism is the normative ethical position that moral agents should do what is in their own self-interest. It differs from psychological egoism, according to which people can only act in their own self-interest. Ethical egoism also differs from rational egoism, which holds that it is rational to act in one's own self-interest. Ethical egoism conflicts with ethical altruism, which states that moral agents have an obligation to help anyone but themselves. Egoism and altruism both conflict with ethical utilitarianism, which states that an individual should treat himself or herself with no greater consideration than he or she has for others as egoism teaches, elevating one's personal interests and "the self" to a status not shared with others. But it is also obvious that one should not sacrifice one's own interests to help another realize theirs, as long as one's own interests are remarkably comparable to the other's interests and well-being. Egoism, utilitarianism, and altruism are all forms of consequentialism, but egoism and altruism contrast with utilitarianism, in that egoism and altruism are both forms of subject-focused or subjectively based consequentialism. However, utilitarianism is believed to be a neutral position, it does not treat the individual's personal interests as more or less important than the interests, desires, or well-being of other individuals. Ethical selfishness does not involve individuals harming the interests and well-being of others when making decisions; what is in an individual's self-interest can coincidentally be harmful, beneficial, or neutral in its effect on others. Individualism allows the interest and well-being of others to be overlooked or not, as long as what is chosen is… middle of paper… writes, “the purpose of morality is to teach you, not to suffer and die , but to enjoy yourself and live."[]All of our frequently accepted moral obligations, not to harm others, to always tell the truth, and to keep promises, all derive from the one fundamental standard of self-interest. It has been observed, however, that the very act of eating, especially when there are starving people in the world, would be considered an act of discrimination. Ethical egoists who readily accept the value of others to an individual, and who readily feel empathy for others, have argued the exact opposite of Rachels, that it is altruism that discriminates: "If the feeling of eating cake is a value, so why is it?" is it an immoral indulgence in your stomach, but a moral goal for you to achieve in the stomachs of others?"[] Is altruism therefore the illogical position.