Egoism

Egoism

Introduction to Ethics

Egoism: the ethical theory that

rightness depends upon what is

in each individual’s self-interest

egoism vs. altruism

Introduction to Ethics

Egoism: the ethical theory that

rightness depends upon what is

in each individual’s self-interest

What is the opposite of

self-interest?

Altruism: unselfish regard

for the good of others

Introduction to Ethics

Altruism: opposite of egoism

Introduction to Ethics

Egoism: the ethical theory that

rightness depends upon what is

in each individual’s self-interest

Is there a difference between “self-

interest” and “selfishness”?

Introduction to Ethics

What examples of ‘good’ self-

interest can you think of?

• Study for a test

• Saving for the future

• Getting a good education

• Working hard

Introduction to Ethics

Adam Smith

(1723-1790): political

economist who

famously argued that

everyone pursuing self-

interest distributes

goods in the best way.

Introduction to Ethics

Egoism:

Is self-interest better

than altruism in

producing a better

society for all?

Introduction to Ethics

Basic Arguments for Egoism:

• Helping others makes them

dependent.

• We are naturally egoists.

• We should all help ourselves

first

Introduction to Ethics

Practice

What would egoism say about

this problem?

You are driving home along the

Emirates Road with a friend. Your

friend tells you that the next 5

speed cameras are broken so it’s

okay to go at 160 km/h.

Contractarianism

Contractarianism

Introduction to Ethics

Contractarianism is the theory that we all

follow an unwritten social contract.

Introduction to Ethics

What is a “social contract”?

social contract:

an agreement among the

members of a society to create

rules for that society

Introduction to Ethics

Contractarianism says:

we are naturally self-interested, but if

everybody behaved in a purely self-

interested way we would not be able

to live together in society. If we

want to live in society, we have to

respect other people's interests.

Introduction to Ethics

the ethical theory in which

individuals select the right rules

when choosing under an

unwritten social contract.

NS P

Introduction to Ethics

An example

• it might be in our interest to drive at 180 km

per hour on a road that doesn't have speed

cameras (e.g. so we are not late for work), but

we don't drive at this speed

WHY?

• because we might put other people's lives in

danger and we would not want other people

to drive like this and put our life in danger

http://www.philosophybasics.com/branch_contractarianism.html

Empathy Ethics

Introduction to Ethics

Empathy Ethics:

The idea that good actions are

based upon understanding and

sensitivity of other people.

We should put ourselves into

another person’s position and see

the world through their eyes.

http://www.bbc.com/news/health-

35253527

Introduction to Ethics

Empathy Ethics

Think again about the trolley problem.

How could understanding and seeing the

world through another’s eyes affect

decisions here?

Empathy can also be explained

in terms of the “Golden Rule”

Deontologism

Contractarianism

Consequentialism

Egoism

Virtue Ethics

Empathy Ethics