Egoism Study guide
Egoism
Plato’s Ring of Gyges
3 Parts of the Soul
Appetitive Part—Appetites (Food, Drink, Sleep, Sex)
Spirited Part—Emotional/volitional (will) Part (carries out dictates of rational)
Rational Part—Reason (to rule)
When each part performs its proper “functions properly___”, harmony is exhibited.
According to Socrates:
Human beings should seek inner harmony
When one is immoral___, s/he destroys his/her inner harmony___;
(i.e., s/he is damaged/diseased)
Disease always results in death
One who purposely does evil brings death___ upon him/herself.
Although an immoral (self-satisfied) person (outwardly) looks fine, s/he is dying on the inside. We do wrong because we are ignorant not because we chose. (we wouldn’t choose death if we knew better so we are ignorant)
Two Types of Egoism
Descriptive _/(Psychological Egoism):
Tells what individuals are like
Prescriptive_/(Ethical Egoism):
Prescribes/recommends how individuals ought to act
Descriptive Psychological Egoism
Asserts that individuals always act for the sake of their own self interest
Self Interest =Personal Well-being/ advantage
Problem: Short-term_ or Long-term self-interest??? Conflict?
In its truest sense, self-interest is concerned with Long-term well-being.
Long term and short term often conflict ( humans have trouble thinking long term- they want the Rally burger)
Two Types of Psychological Egoism
Actual Psychological egoism
Asserts that individuals always act in their own best interest. (people always have an angle: promotes selfishness)
Problem/Refutation: Individuals don’t always do what is best for them.
Do not have sufficient knowledge to be good or
Judge of what is in their best interest.
Weakness of Will
Motivational Psychological Egoism
Asserts that an individual’s actions are always motivated by the
desire to attain/ further their own best interest.
Problem/Refutation: Theories
Plato’s Ring of Gyges
3 Parts of the Soul
Appetitive Part—Appetites (Food, Drink, Sleep, Sex)
Spirited Part—Emotional/volitional (will) Part (carries out dictates of rational)
Rational Part—Reason (to rule)
When each part performs its proper “functions properly___”, harmony is exhibited.
According to Socrates:
Human beings should seek inner harmony
When one is immoral___, s/he destroys his/her inner harmony___;
(i.e., s/he is damaged/diseased)
Disease always results in death
One who purposely does evil brings death___ upon him/herself.
Although an immoral (self-satisfied) person (outwardly) looks fine, s/he is dying on the inside. We do wrong because we are ignorant not because we chose. (we wouldn’t choose death if we knew better so we are ignorant)
Two Types of Egoism
Descriptive _/(Psychological Egoism):
Tells what individuals are like
Prescriptive_/(Ethical Egoism):
Prescribes/recommends how individuals ought to act
Descriptive Psychological Egoism
Asserts that individuals always act for the sake of their own self interest
Self Interest =Personal Well-being/ advantage
Problem: Short-term_ or Long-term self-interest??? Conflict?
In its truest sense, self-interest is concerned with Long-term well-being.
Long term and short term often conflict ( humans have trouble thinking long term- they want the Rally burger)
Two Types of Psychological Egoism
Actual Psychological egoism
Asserts that individuals always act in their own best interest. (people always have an angle: promotes selfishness)
Problem/Refutation: Individuals don’t always do what is best for them.
Do not have sufficient knowledge to be good or
Judge of what is in their best interest.
Weakness of Will
Motivational Psychological Egoism
Asserts that an individual’s actions are always motivated by the
desire to attain/ further their own best interest.
Problem/Refutation: Theories