Question

1. Explain the basic difference between psychological egoism and ethical egoism. Summarize the arguments regarding the consistency or inconsistency of ethical egoism.

2. Is psychological egoism true, and what must be shown to prove its truth?

Answer 1

According to Psychological egoism, human action and behaviour is stimulated by self-interest. For example, when we give something to someone, we also expect some benefit in return. On the other hand, in ethical egoism suggest that people should indeed have the pupose of self-interest.

The concept of ethical egoism has alwys been very debatable as the theory contradicts to a great extent. When the theory says that people need to act only when things are in their best interest, it sounds unconvincing. However, a person who lock up this theory will tend to act what is in his or her own self interest, but the person also needs to accept the fact that others will act according to his or her self interest but their own. Thus, this is how the theory has contradictory points.

Research has found that psychological egoism isn't true as this theory would explain that some of people's greatest desires are not egoistic. To prove that psychological egoism is true, people must get motivated by the desire to act according to their best interest.