1. Egoism

2. Egoism Two Kinds Two Kinds Psychological Psychological We always do act in our own interest

3. Egoism Two Kinds Two Kinds Psychological Psychological We always do act in our own interest Ethical Ethical We always ought to act in our own interest

4. Psychological Egoism Hobbes Hobbes No man giveth but with intention of good to himself; because gift is voluntary; and of all voluntary acts the object to every man is his own pleasure

5. Psychological Egoism Problems Problems The Existence of Altruism The Existence of Altruism It’s obvious that altruistic actions/motivations occur

6. Psychological Egoism Problems Problems The Existence of Altruism The Existence of Altruism Mother Theresa Mother Theresa

7. Psychological Egoism Problems Problems The Existence of Altruism The Existence of Altruism Mother Theresa Mother Theresa Is she just doing it to get to Heaven? Is she just doing it to get to Heaven?

8. Psychological Egoism Problems Problems The Existence of Altruism The Existence of Altruism The good soldier The good soldier

9. Psychological Egoism Problems Problems The Existence of Altruism The Existence of Altruism The good soldier The good soldier Because it’s bad to feel guilty? Because it’s bad to feel guilty?

10. Psychological Egoism Problems Problems Supposing Hidden Motives Supposing Hidden Motives There must be effective selfish motivations that we aren’t aware of

11. Psychological Egoism Problems Problems Supposing Hidden Motives Supposing Hidden Motives There must be effective selfish motivations that we aren’t aware of Makes this an unfalsifiable hypothesis, and therefore vacuous Makes this an unfalsifiable hypothesis, and therefore vacuous

12. Ethical Egoism Personal Ethical Egoism Personal Ethical Egoism I ought to act in my own interest. I ought to act in my own interest.

13. Ethical Egoism Personal Ethical Egoism Personal Ethical Egoism I ought to act in my own interest. I ought to act in my own interest. Individual Ethical Egoism Individual Ethical Egoism Everyone ought to act in my own interest. Everyone ought to act in my own interest.

14. Ethical Egoism Personal Ethical Egoism Personal Ethical Egoism I ought to act in my own interest. I ought to act in my own interest. Individual Ethical Egoism Individual Ethical Egoism Everyone ought to act in my own interest. Everyone ought to act in my own interest. Universal Ethical Egoism Universal Ethical Egoism Everyone ought to act in their own interest. Everyone ought to act in their own interest.

15. Ethical Egoism Personal Ethical Egoism Personal Ethical Egoism I ought to act in my own interest. I ought to act in my own interest. Individual Ethical Egoism Individual Ethical Egoism Everyone ought to act in my own interest. Everyone ought to act in my own interest. Universal Ethical Egoism Universal Ethical Egoism Everyone ought to act in their own interest. Everyone ought to act in their own interest.

16. Ethical Egoism Arguments for it Arguments for it

17. Ethical Egoism Arguments for it Arguments for it It’s the default guide to behaviour – altruists should be made to defend their position It’s the default guide to behaviour – altruists should be made to defend their position

18. Ethical Egoism Arguments for it Arguments for it It’s the default guide to behaviour – altruists should be made to defend their position It’s the default guide to behaviour – altruists should be made to defend their position Putting others’ interests first is degrading to one’s own dignity. Altruism is a Slave Morality (Nietzsche.) Putting others’ interests first is degrading to one’s own dignity. Altruism is a Slave Morality (Nietzsche.)

19. Ethical Egoism Arguments for it Arguments for it It’s the default guide to behaviour – altruists should be made to defend their position It’s the default guide to behaviour – altruists should be made to defend their position Putting others’ interests first is degrading to one’s own dignity. Altruism is a Slave Morality (Nietzsche) Putting others’ interests first is degrading to one’s own dignity. Altruism is a Slave Morality (Nietzsche) Things turn out better if people are made responsible for what they know best – themselves; not what they know least – others Things turn out better if people are made responsible for what they know best – themselves; not what they know least – others

20. Ethical Egoism Arguments against it Arguments against it

21. Ethical Egoism Arguments against it Arguments against it It gives prescriptions that we intuitively disagree with It gives prescriptions that we intuitively disagree with

22. Ethical Egoism Arguments against it Arguments against it It gives prescriptions that we intuitively disagree with It gives prescriptions that we intuitively disagree with It fails to satisfy the necessary criteria to be a moral theory at all It fails to satisfy the necessary criteria to be a moral theory at all It’s not universalizable – it leads inevitably to unresolvable conflicts It’s not universalizable – it leads inevitably to unresolvable conflicts