EGOISM

=EGOISM=

Basic Principles of the Theory -
Egoism is concerned with two basic issues, whether people are basically selfish and whether being selfish is good or bad. Selfishness is generally inherent and even if people appear to be doing good for others, there is a selfish motive behind it. Psychological, or descriptive egoism, essentially defines what people are like, and the basic premise that it follows is that people are selfish or generally more concerned with their own interests. Even if someone does something that looks like it is benefiting another person, they are really completing the action for their own selfish reasons. There is and will always be a benefit to the individual or else they would not follow through with the action. The notion is that people will always be selfish, have always been selfish, and that will not change. Ethical, or normative egoism, is the theory that determines how people ought to or should behave. This viewpoint states that people should always act in a way that best suits them. Individuals ought to determine what is the best for them and then make that choice, instead of thinking of others. Contractarianism, or rational egoism, is based on rational thought and more specifically, what would make the most sense to them at the time and might have the potential to benefit them in the future. In this case, someone might make a sacrifice for others; however, he or she weighed out the choices and realized this would rationally benefit more people and him or herself in the future (MacKinnon, 2007).

Specifics of the Ethical Approach -
  Within the three main types of egoism, there are a number of different subdivisions. Psychological egoism, the view that humans, no matter what, are always motivated by their own self-interest, can be examined further with the idea of psychological hedonism. This is the viewpoint that in addition to self-interest all humans are motivated by pleasure or trying to avoid pain. Instead of just focusing on the idea of pleasure, like psychological egoism, psychological hedonism examines self-interest based on one’s feelings of both pleasure and pain. For example, someone will make a choice based on avoiding pain, not because the choice they will make is pleasurable, but because it is in one’s interest to avoid the hurt. Ethical egoism, the idea that someone should act in his or her own best interest, can be broken down into three main categories. Someone who considers themselves an individual ethical egoist would feel that all people should do what benefits the individual ethical egoist them self, not what benefits any others. However, a personal ethical egoist feels that one person should act in his or her best interest, but wouldn’t make a statement about what everyone else should or should not do. In addition, a universal ethical egoist would believe that everyone should proceed in ways that are in their own best interest. Overall, egoism claims that if people looked out for their own interests, then the world would be a better place.

=Historical Background - = Egoism was originally conceived by Henry Sidgwick in his book Methods of Ethics. He used the concept of self-interest to attempt to refute the theory of Utilit arianism. He set up the framework of classifying Egoism into its different types. Although Sidgwick is credited with the concept of ethical egoism, many have echoed the spirit of egoism. In the same time period as Sidgwick, Macaulay noted that “men always act in their own self-interest”. In the Reformation period of England, Thomas Hobbes spoke of men’s sole intention of giving is his own benefit. Both Macaulay’s and Hobbes’ statements are similar to the concept of psychological egoism. The concept of normative egoism is also seen in the past, going all the way back to Aristotle who focused on the importance of being concerned for oneself. Other veins of egoism such as rational egoism and conditional egoism are also discussed in historical context. In the 1950’s, Ayn Rand expressed that selfishness is a right and that it is rational to be concerned with one’s own interest first and foremost, which is a basic tenet of rational egoism. Adam Smith, who published works on morals as well as economic in the mid-1700’s, believed that selfish behaviors are what kept societies running. All of these quotes from our history have shaped and support egoism as a valid theory. Coming from all over the world and as far back as the beginning of Western philosophy, it is believed that being self-centered is not only necessary but rational and productive.

Two Examples -
In the James Cameron's popular 1997 box office hit //Titantic//, an example of psychological egoism can be found during the scenes in which the Titantic is be evacuated. While the life boats were being filled with passengers a man grabs a child to make sure the child is safe on a life boat, while at the same time he also finds safety in a life boat. The man's actions of helping a child may seem shelfless and with good intent but in fact the man only grabs the child so he can get on a life boat. The man takes advantage of the rule that child are a priority for being placed on life boats only to help himself in the end.

Another popular movie in which egoism can be found is the in //Pretty Woman// (1990). Richard Gere plays the character of very busy and successful businessman and it is the character’s business tactics and motivations that resemble the basic principles of egoism. His character’s goal is to make money by buying other companies and then selling them in smaller pieces, essentially dismantling the companies. Even though this may mean jobs loss for many employees of the companies he purchases, his character only focuses on his self-interest of making money and being good at doing so.

References -
Hinman, L. (2009). //Look out for #1 - and there is no #2 Ethical Egoism.// Retrieved on March 3, 2009 from [] Landau, J., Cameron, J., (Producers) & Cameron, J. (Director). (1997). //Titanic// [DVD]. Paramont Pictures and 20th Century Fox. Mackinnon, B. (2007). //Ethics theory and contemporary issues.// Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth. Shaver, R. (2002). //Egosim.// Retrieved on February 24, 2009 from Standford Encyclopedia of Philosophy website: http://plato.standford.edu/entries/egoism Ziskin, L. (Producer) & Marshall, G. (Director). (1990) //Pretty woman//. [DVD]. Touchstone Pictures.