Psychological Egoism

Is it possible to be unselfish?

Psychological Egoism – all actions are selfish in nature

Altruism is a myth It is not possible to act unselfishly All examples of altruism have a deeper

meaning eg David gives money to charity to go to heaven

All action is ultimately ‘self centered’ All actions have selfish

motivations/intentions Watch video – psychological egoism 2

(1min) Discuss

Thomas Hobbes

All human behaviour is motivated by 2 impulses

“seek pleasure and avoid pain’

He gave two examples 1. Charity - Whoever is giving to

charity is ultimately showing off their superiority

2. Pity – Far from being able to empathise with other people’s sufferings, Hobbes believed it was a way of reminding ourselves that the same thing could happen to us.

Epicurus

Go online and find out about Epicurus’ view of human behaviour – 20 minutes

Read info in booklet – watch 10 minutes from video

Brainstorm

Nietzsche

Go online and find out about Nietzsches view of human behaviour – 20 minutes

Read info in booklet – Or use the wiki

Notes on 1. The Genealogy of morals 2. Beyond good and evil

Brainstorm

Two arguments in favour of psychological egoism

1. All actions whether selfish or unselfish amounts to the person doing what they most want to do – Action is based on desire

2. Acting unselfishly produces a sense of self satisfaction in the person who does them

Watch video – psychological egoism 1 (1.45)

James Rachels

James Rachels argues against psychological egoism

He uses the following points to attempt to show how humans are capable of altruistic behaviour

The arguments against psychological egoism – 1. Acting against desire

We sometimes act against our wishes and desires – Eg World War 1 trenches

There are times when we act against our desires

We act because we ‘ought’ to Eg Carrying out a promise to do

something even when we don’t want to do it

2. Helping others is what makes us unselfish – selfishness is defined by the object of our desire

Argument for Psychological Egoism - All actions whether selfish or unselfish amounts to the person doing what they most want to do – action is based on desire

However, Rachels argues …

Selfishness is defined by object of desire

If Jones wants to sacrifice going to the cinema to donate $10 to help children in the Congo that is precisely what makes him unselfish

Selfishness is defined by the object of a want/desire If I want to help others and act on that want, then I am

not selfish

Argument for psychological egoism - Acting unselfishly produces a sense of self satisfaction in the person who does them

However, Rachels argues …..

3. Unselfish people derive satisfaction out of helping others

Isn’t the unselfish person precisely the one who does derive happiness from helping others – Selfish people do not

If I get satisfaction from helping starving people – This just shows that I am ‘good hearted’

3. Helping others is precisely what makes us unselfish

In short

Ultimately Rachel’s argues

People act from a great variety of motives – greed, anger, lust, love, hate etc

Human actions are multi-layered in different colours of grey and not just black and white

Written work – Questions

Outline the theory of psychological egoism – Include Hobbes and Epicurus in your answer

Examine James Rachel’s arguments in opposition to this theory

Complete for homework

Discuss – video clip – with reference to psychological egoism