Egoism

:For other uses, see Egoism (disambiguation).

Ethical egoism

Ethical egoism prescribes that individuals take those actions that further their self-interest. Ethical egoism does not necessitate that individuals disregard the well-being of others, nor does it require that an individual refrain from taking the well-being of others into consideration. It allows for the possibility of either as long it is efficacious in satisfying self-interest. The notion that taking the interests of others into consideration is one's best self-interest is known as the doctrine of "rational self-interest." For some, it is the philosophical basis of their espousal of libertarianism which advocates that individuals do not coercively prevent others from exercising freedom of action (others base libertarianism on deontological moral principles, natural law, or utilitarianism).

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On the other hand, ethical egoism has also been identified as the basis for immorality. Some disagree with Ayn Rand's claim that pursuing one's rational self-interest entails respecting the liberty of others. Writes Thomas Jefferson in a letter to Thomas Law, 1814:

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:Self-interest, or rather self-love, or egoism, has been more plausibly substituted as the basis of morality. But I consider our relations with others as constituting the boundaries of morality. With ourselves, we stand on the ground of identity, not of relation, which last, requiring two subjects, excludes self-love confined to a single one. To ourselves, in strict language, we can owe no duties, obligation requiring also two parties. Self-love, therefore, is no part of morality. Indeed, it is exactly its opposite.

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Ethical egoism also has been applied to philosophers such as Bernard de Mandeville and to many other materialists of his generation, but none of them declared themselves as such. One must also note that being a materialist does not necessarily imply egoism, as indicated by Marx, and many other materialists, who espoused various forms of collectivism. The first Western philosopher to apply the label of egoism to his or her own work was Max Stirner; although he did, in effect, re-invent the meaning of the term to suit his philosophy.

Related Topics:
Bernard de Mandeville - Materialist - Collectivism - Max Stirner

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Ethical egoism is considered by many as a controversial and dangerous philsophy; many religions, as well as political ideologies, are based on sacrifice or collectivist ideas. The egoist' denial of things above them are anathema to religions that require subservience to God or gods, or political philosphies that require subordination to state, class, or caste.

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Debates of this kind span such religions as Christianity, Hinduism and Buddhism (see Atman, Anatman and Pudgalavada). Most religions hold that ethical egoism is the product of a lack of genuine spirituality and shows an individual's submersion in materialism or greed. This agrees with the traditional ethical system of the many in the West, where the pursuit of the individual's ends without consideration of the greater good is the basis for sin. Indeed, the bulk of Western ethical thought relies on personal restraint in regard to others, such as expressed in the Ten Commandments, with its prohibition against giving false witness against others, against stealing from others, and against even coveting other's property. However, these stands against ethical egoism assume that it necessarily calls for harming or disregarding others, when it may be the case that pursuing one's self-interest entails treating others well.

Related Topics:
Christianity - Hinduism - Buddhism - Atman - Anatman - Pudgalavada - Materialism - Greed - Sin - Ten Commandments

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In an apparent appeal to ethical egoism, Christianity's golden rule states: do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

Related Topics:
Christianity - Golden rule

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