Objective: Understand the Self-interest theory

* Human beings are always and everywhere selfish. * This theory suggests that we are incapable of living up to objective moral values. * Arguments for self- interest theory * The definitional argument * The evolutionary argument * The hidden benefits argument * The fear of punishment argument

* True by definition * You are being selfish when you do what you want to do. You always end up doing what you want to do, otherwise, you wouldn’t do it. * Altruistic: unselfish * Donald Trump v. Mother Theresa * Both doing what they most like doing = selfish

* Robs the word selfish of its meaning * If ppl are selfish no matter what they do, then it can no longer be a criticism to call someone selfish * No evidence is allowed to stand against it! * Self-regarding desire vs. other-regarding desires * A better/nicer world = helping others

* Humans are naturally selfish creatures who are programmed to pursue their own interests * We spend more time looking out for number one * Other people’s interests only concern us to the extent that they affect our own

* Evidence to such that empathy and altruism are as much a part of out biological inheritance as selfishness. * Empathy and helpfulness are key to our evolutionary success * “Cooperative individuals generally survive longer and leave more offspring.” Edward O. Wilson

* We get various hidden benefits from helping others and being kind to them * Gratitude * Praise * Positive image of ourselves * Mother’s Love * Martyr’s Sacrafice * Enhance our reputation as “good people” * Give blood * Give to charity * Help people who may not be able to repay bets

* If you went out of your way to help someone in trouble, would it bother you if they showed no gratitude? * If you helped a friend when she had a problem, would you be annoyed if she refused to help you when you had a problem? * If you gave a lot of money to charity would you rather your friends knew what you had done, or would you rather they did not know?

* Cannot possibly be our motive * Tips at restaurants * Sense of fairness? * Extreme Situations * Hiding Jews * Little/No Satisfaction * Actions over motives…Ordinary Heros * “I esteem the man whose self-love, by whatever means, is so directed as to give him a concern for others, and render him serviceable to society; as I hate or despise him who has no regard to anything beyond his own gratifications and enjoyments.” David Hume

* Main thing that keeps us in line? Fear of punishment. * What if I get caught? * No Police/Army? * One Day Strike, Montreal, 1969

* Is all good behavior monitored by fear? Mother Teresa? * Religion/God: God would take a dim view of people who only did good out of a fear of punishment * Plato/Ring of Gyges * Invisible at will * No fear of getting caught * Some things you still WOULD NOT DO * Betray friends * Deprive needy * Persecute the oppressed

* If you discovered the ring of Gyges, how, if at all, would it affect your behavior? * If the perfect crime existed, would you be tempted to commit it? (Bank, shave a few cents, add to your account…)

* Do you think it makes more sense to say that people are basically good and corrupted by society, or that people are basically bad and must be kept in line by society?

* Do you think that society works best when each individual pursues his own best interest, or do you think this is a recipe for disaster?

* “I have always relied on the kindness of strangers.” * Have you ever experienced the kindness of strangers? * Have you ever been the stranger? * Does this just not exist? * How can having experienced “the kindness of strangers” affect your view on the selfishness of society?