Psychological Egoism Argumentative Analysis

436 Words1 Page

Psychological Egoism is a descriptive theory resulting from human behavior of performing

certain actions for desires of self-interest or for one's own welfare. The only distinction between

psychological egoism and ethical egoism reflects upon the action words “is” versus “ought”, “fact”

versus “value”, or “descriptive” versus “prescriptive”. Here we are saying that even though it seems

that we are acting to benefit others, we are actually motivated to do so by our own advantage. Also, if

we didn't believe that in the ending result would benefit amongst ourselves, we would not be whatever

action it may be.

For instance, in Egoism and Moral Skepticism, Rachel provides us two arguments in which

support psychological egoism. The first argument …show more content…

Rachel

provides the example of Smith staying behind to help a friend rather than traveling to the country. Here

it is reasonable to think that he is doing this not because he wants to but simply because he sees that his

friend is in need and it is his responsibility to be their for him/her. The second argument stating that

since so-called unselfish actions always produce a sense of self-satisfaction in the agent, and since this

sense of satisfaction is a pleasant state of consciousness, it follows that the point of the action is really

to achieve a pleasant state of consciousness, rather than to bring about any good for others(Cahn 74).

Here the real point of the action is that, Smith would feel so much better staying behind on the trip to

help his friend out rather than leaving and feeling terrible for not providing assistance. Also, if we were

to question Smith's action the answer would go something like, “It is because I care for him and want

him to succeed”.

The difference in Ethical and Psychological egoism is that an Ethical egoist acts ONLY for their

own self-interest while a Psychological egoist is motivated by self-interest when choosing the

More about Psychological Egoism Argumentative Analysis

Open Document