Chapter 7: Ethics Egoism and Altruism

Slides:



Advertisements
Similar presentations
Egoism vs. Altruism The study of Morality requires that one addresses the dilemma of Psychological Egoism & Altruism as well as focus on Ethical Egoism.
Advertisements

Non-Consequentialism
Morality As Overcoming Self-Interest
PHIL 2525 Lecture 9 Is me-first all right? PHIL 2525 Lecture 9 Is me-first all right?
Moral System: Ethical Egoism Moral System: Ethical Egoism Ought to do what in own self-interest.
Series on ethics based on 'Doing the Right Thing' Study guide at Christian worldview teaching Ed van Ouwerkerk,
Egoism. Egoism Two Kinds Two Kinds Psychological Psychological We always do act in our own interest.
Chapter Twelve: The Fact-Value Problem Chapter Twelve: The Fact-Value Problem Metaethics ► Philosophizing about the very terms of ethics ► Considering.
No, not Egotism, Egoism. Egoism Read about Egoism at: Two main theses to consider regarding Egoism: Psychological.
Two Major Historical Theories of Ethics: 1.) Consequentialist: based on or concerned with consequences. (also called “teleological” theories) 2.) Nonconsequentialist:
James Rachels & Stuart Rachels
Categorical Imperative
ETHICS BOWL kantian ETHICS.
Ethical Egoism. Hurricane Charley Sweeps across Florida. Sweeps across Florida. 22 dead. 22 dead. $11 billion in damages. $11 billion in damages.
Philosophy 223 Relativism and Egoism. Remember This Slide? Ethical reflection on the dictates of morality can address these sorts of issues in at least.
Introduction to Ethics Lecture 9 Psychological Egoism
Aristotle on early experience and good
The Question of Selfless Conduct Human Nature: we are either inherently good (Mencius) or inherently evil (Hsun-tzu); environmental influences divert us.
Chapter 7: Ethics The Nature of Moral Inquiry: Is Morality Relative? Introducing Philosophy, 10th edition Robert C. Solomon, Kathleen Higgins, and Clancy.
Chapter 3: Knowledge The Congenial Skeptic: David Hume
The Ethics of Self Interest Chapter 2. Classical Ideals of Life ARISTOTLE: Egoism is not egotism: man is a social animal. Happiness as an end in itself,
Kant’s Ethics of Duty 3 insights form the basis for his theory  An action has moral worth if it is done for the sake of duty. (DUTY)  An action is morally.
Chapter 5: Mind and Body The Problem of Consciousness Introducing Philosophy, 10th edition Robert C. Solomon, Kathleen Higgins, and Clancy Martin.
Now back to my favorite subject: ME!
Lawrence M. Hinman, Ph.D. Director, The Values Institute University of San Diego 8/24/2015(c) Lawrence M. Hinman1 “Look out for #1— and there is no #2”
Ayn Rand’s Philosophy of Objectivism Definition: an extreme form of individualism which Rand explained as “the concept of man as a heroic being with his.
Introduction to Moral Philosophy Moral philosophy is about making moral choices – about how people decide what is moral / immoral. Morality is concerned.
Philosopher Review. Who Believes… Humans are by nature social beings Your moral virtues control your character Hint: Plato’s student.
Unit 4: Morality.
More ethics terminology Labels that help to define ethics-related discussions Created by Brett Oppegaard for Washington State University's DTC 338 Information.
Philosophy and Ethics Is lying always wrong? Is conscience a reliable guide? Are all values relative?
Chapter Six: Egoism, Self-Interest, and Altruism
Introduction to Joseph Butler Sermons, published in Had profound effect on moral philosophy in Britain, well into 20th century.
Consequentialist Theories of Ethics. Do Consequences make an action right? Many ethicists have argued that we should decide moral right and wrong by looking.
Philosophy 111 What is Philosophy? What is Philosophy? Critical inquiry into the fundamental nature of “stuff”. Critical inquiry into the fundamental nature.
Chapter 3: Knowledge Kant’s Revolution Introducing Philosophy, 10th edition Robert C. Solomon, Kathleen Higgins, and Clancy Martin.
Chapter 3: Knowledge Two Empiricist Theories of Knowledge: John Locke and Bishop Berkeley Introducing Philosophy, 10th edition Robert C. Solomon, Kathleen.
Chapter 8: Justice The Problem of Justice Introducing Philosophy, 10th edition Robert C. Solomon, Kathleen Higgins, and Clancy Martin.
Egoism Plato: “The Myth of Gyges” from The Republic.
Normative Ethical Theory: Utilitarianism and Kantian Deontology
Chapter 1: Religion Pascal’s Wager Introducing Philosophy, 10th edition Robert C. Solomon, Kathleen Higgins, and Clancy Martin.
Chapter 1: Religion Religion, Philosophy, and the Western Religions Introducing Philosophy, 10th edition Robert C. Solomon, Clancy Martin, and Kathleen.
Introduction to Philosophy Jason M. Chang
Ethics.
Quick Quiz 1 Which of the following is offered by Mengzi as a reason evil shows up in society? a) Heaven’s anger. b) Ignorance of what is right. c) Competition.
Introducing Philosophy, 10th edition
Chapter 1: Religion God as Creator: Intelligence and Design Introducing Philosophy, 10th edition Robert C. Solomon, Kathleen Higgins, and Clancy Martin.
Morality and Self- Interest Vice and Virtue in Everyday Life Chapter 3.
Ethics and Egoism Ethical egoism —The theory that the morally right action is the one that produces the most favorable balance of good over evil for oneself.
Chapter 7: Ethics Nietzsche and Existentialism; Sartre; Ethics and Gender Introducing Philosophy, 10th edition Robert C. Solomon, Kathleen Higgins, and.
Chapter 7: Ethics Utilitarianism
1 Psychological Egoism Soazig Le Bihan -- University of Montana.
Hume “ Be a philosopher; but amidst all your philosophy, be still a man. ”
ALTRUISM What is it?. WHAT IS ALTRUISM? Altruism (also called the ethic of altruism, moralistic altruism, and ethical altruism) is an ethical doctrine.
PHIL 2525 Lecture 9 Is me-first all right? PHIL 2525 Lecture 9 Is me-first all right?
Chapter 7: Ethics Morality and Practical Reason: Kant
Chapter 1: Religion Proving God: The Ontological Argument Introducing Philosophy, 10th edition Robert C. Solomon, Kathleen Higgins, and Clancy Martin.
EGOISM Kirsten A. Capps Intro to Ethics. Egoism  Each person has but one ultimate aim: her own welfare (Shaver)  Egoism make claims about what one ought.
Philosophy Unit 1 Why should I be moral?
Ethics: Theory and Practice
Ethical Egoism Candidates should be able to explain with clarity what Ethical Egoism is Stirner’s understanding of Ethical Egoism, with particular emphasis.
Philosophy Unit 1 Why should I be moral?
Egoism No, not Egotism, Egoism.
Philosophy 2030 Class #9 4/7/16        Next week (4/12/14):
Ethical Egoism.
Egoism.
Ethical Theory and Practice
Chapter 7: Ethics Morality as Virtue: Aristotle
Chapter 1: Religion Beyond Reason: Faith and Irrationality
Professional Ethics Exercise Questions.
Presentation transcript:

Chapter 7: Ethics Egoism and Altruism Introducing Philosophy, 10th edition Robert C. Solomon, Kathleen Higgins, and Clancy Martin

The Moral Importance of Others Most moral rules enjoin us to take into account the interests, feelings, or welfare of other people Thus, one of the important assumptions of any morality is that it is possible for us to act in the interests of other people

Psychological Egoism Denies that we can be motivated by a concern for others This theory claims that everyone always acts to his or her own advantage and that the only reason why a person performs morally good action is because it serves his or her own interests In popular language, this is called selfishness

Ethical Egoism Claims that even though we can act in others’ interest because we are concerned for others, we ought to always act in our own interest Ayn Rand is a famous ethical egoist who argued for what she called the virtue of selfishness

Altruism Acting for the sake of other people’s interests Altruism can be divided into two theses: psychological altruism (people “naturally act” for each other’s sake) and ethical altruism (people ought to act with each other’s interests in mind) Ethical altruism is perhaps best summarized in the so-called Golden Rule Psychological egoism claims that it is never possible to act altruistically

Against Psychological Egoism Chinese philosophers debated over whether one can act altruistically Mencius: people are basically benevolent Xun-zi: people are naturally selfish

Against Psychological Egoism The most definitive argument against psychological egoism is by Bishop Joseph Butler (1692-1752) Powerful English clergyman Formulated the standard arguments against psychological egoism in his Fifteen Sermons (1726)

Butler argues that merely acting on one’s own desires does not make an action selfish All actions are based on desires (in some sense), but at least some of these desires are desires to serve someone else’s interest Receiving a benefit from an action is not equivalent to motivating an action