discussion questions

Ethical egoism fosters an environment of competition and promotes lack of selflessness.

Because self-interest differs from person to person, competition to fulfill personal self-interest

becomes acceptable. For example, many people who have careers in the trade of business view

personal gratification and fulfillment as essential to success. Pursuing one’s self interest demands

that individual desires are elevated above another’s. Ethical egoism does not allow consideration

for another person’s needs or permit aiding someone to reach their personal goals (Debelijak &

Krkac, 2008). This philosophy fundamentally alters how society and individuals uphold or value

standards of morality. If one’s goal in life is to seek personal satisfaction, then it is morally

justified via ethical egoism. However, there are serious ramifications to this self-seeking ethical

philosophy.

Ethical egoism advocates individual preservation above the common welfare of society.

If one’s desire is to steal believing he is justified because his own self-interest is being fulfilled,

then he commits the crime with the belief that he is morally justified in doing so. An action is

moral so long as self-interest is the only goal being achieved. Individual interests and social

welfare are often in conflict due to the reality that self-interest does not permit self-sacrifice.

Ethical egoism mandates that social welfare is not a priority, not even a consideration when

contemplating how best to pursue one’s self-interest (Olson, 1961). This corrupt pattern of

thinking creates a fixation on individual preservation rather than universal prosperity. Therefore,

the only one benefiting from ethical egoism is a single individual. Everyone’s needs are not met

nor are they considered important. It is a human being’s tendency to value or pursue self-interest

at the cost of common welfare and prosperity.

Individualism states that the interests or desires of an individual are regarded as supreme.

Individualism is often associated with the ethical egoism because an individual’s desires are

considered paramount above the collective society. As a result, the individual relates to society

or their community based upon what said community can offer them as an individual. There

exists no internal motive to assist another individual in pursing their desires or achieving their

goals. Ethical egoism is self-centered by nature which causes a disconnect and lack of care for

another’s prosperity (Gantt & Burton, 2013).

I believe that the only benefit to pursuing self-interest is temporary fulfillment of a

particular desire. A society or community cannot benefit from each individual seeking self-

satisfaction. This self-centered philosophy ultimately leads to competition and misplaced

animosity between people. It would be impossible to encourage, uplift, or connect with others if

we are viewing each other as obstacles or hindrances to our selfish desires. I find ethical egoism

to personify the selfish, depraved nature characteristic of human beings. If self-interest is the idol

to be worshipped, then other people will suffer the concequences of such narrow-minded

thinking. I believe that many people benefit when we put aside our self-interest to acknowledge

and consider another person’s needs above our own.

References:

Debelijak, J. & Krkac, K. (2008). “Me, myself & I”: Practical egoism, selfishness, self-interest

and business ethics. Social Responsibility Journal, 4(1/2), 217-227.

Gantt, E. E., & Burton, J. (2013). Egoism, altruism, and the ethical foundations of personhood.

Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 53(4), 438-460.

Olson, R.G. (1961). Ethical egoism and social welfare. Philosophy and Phenomenological

Research, 21(4), 528-536.