Question

Each of the following is an argument in favor of psychological egoism EXCEPT:

A) I only act selfishly because my actions are caused by my own motives.

B) I only act selfishly because it is in my own best interest to do so.

C) I only act selfishly because whenever I help others, I derive pleasure.

D) I only act selfishly because every apparently selfless act can be re-interpreted as selfish.

Answer 1

Ans. The answer is D) I only act selfishly because every apparently selfless act can be re-interpreted as selfish. This is because psychological egoism refers to the view that humans are always motivated by self-interest and selfishness, even in what seem to be acts of altruism. It also claims that, when people choose to help others, they do so ultimately because of the personal benefits that they themselves expect to obtain, directly or indirectly, from doing that act. It is a descriptive rather than normative view, as it only makes claims about how things are, not how they ought to be.