Ethical Egoism
Sheila Capers
Saint Leo University
Authors Note: All questions and concerns on this paper can be addressed to Sheila Capers, Saint Leo University, Criminal Justice, Savannah, GA. Email: Sheila.capers@email.saintleo.edu.
Abstract
Utilitarianism is not accepted without argument in the philosophical community, but it is taken seriously and treated with respect. No one dismisses it out of hand, the do not mock it and belittle its ideology. They allow its representation. It is articulated, developed, and defended in the areas of philosophical debate. Ethical egoism, though a long standing opponent for utilitarianism, is not so lucky. Philosophers claim to negate its value with arguments which, if it is accepted …show more content…
It is not a popular dogma; many of the most significant philosophers have disallowed it outright. It has never been very far from their minds, however. Almost every ethicist has felt the need to clarify what’s wrong with the theory, as though the very likelihood that it might be accurate was dangling in the air, threatening to overpower their other notions. As the virtues of the various “refutations” have been argued, theorists have reverted to it time and time again.
The point of deliberating utilitarianism specifically rather than consequentialism in overall is that egoism, no less than utilitarianism, is a consequentialist ethical theory. The variance between egoism and utilitarianism is not that one is and one is not consequentialist, but that utilitarianism necessitates detachment. There are many possible partial ethical theories. “One can hold that the right thing to do is to maximize the utility of one’s compatriots, one’s Co-religionists, one’s racial or ethnic group, one’s community, one’s tribe, or one’s family” (Burgess-Jackson, 2012, p. …show more content…
Although social concern generally reduces crime, it has little effect on or increases crime in certain circumstances. The social environment also has a large impact on social concern, influencing the level and nature of social concern, as well as its expression. These environmental effects suggest several strategies for controlling crime. The criminological assumption of self-interest has three components. First, individuals are strongly motivated to satisfy their needs and desires, particularly their short-term needs/desires. This provides substantial motivation for crime because crime is often the most expedient way to get what you want. “The use of force or fraud is often easier, simpler, faster, more exciting, and more certain than other means of securing one’s ends.” (Agnew, 2014, p. 3) The focus on short-term needs and desires is especially conducive to crime, given that the benefits of crime tend to be immediate and the costs
Sheila Capers
Saint Leo University
Authors Note: All questions and concerns on this paper can be addressed to Sheila Capers, Saint Leo University, Criminal Justice, Savannah, GA. Email: Sheila.capers@email.saintleo.edu.
Abstract
Utilitarianism is not accepted without argument in the philosophical community, but it is taken seriously and treated with respect. No one dismisses it out of hand, the do not mock it and belittle its ideology. They allow its representation. It is articulated, developed, and defended in the areas of philosophical debate. Ethical egoism, though a long standing opponent for utilitarianism, is not so lucky. Philosophers claim to negate its value with arguments which, if it is accepted …show more content…
It is not a popular dogma; many of the most significant philosophers have disallowed it outright. It has never been very far from their minds, however. Almost every ethicist has felt the need to clarify what’s wrong with the theory, as though the very likelihood that it might be accurate was dangling in the air, threatening to overpower their other notions. As the virtues of the various “refutations” have been argued, theorists have reverted to it time and time again.
The point of deliberating utilitarianism specifically rather than consequentialism in overall is that egoism, no less than utilitarianism, is a consequentialist ethical theory. The variance between egoism and utilitarianism is not that one is and one is not consequentialist, but that utilitarianism necessitates detachment. There are many possible partial ethical theories. “One can hold that the right thing to do is to maximize the utility of one’s compatriots, one’s Co-religionists, one’s racial or ethnic group, one’s community, one’s tribe, or one’s family” (Burgess-Jackson, 2012, p. …show more content…
Although social concern generally reduces crime, it has little effect on or increases crime in certain circumstances. The social environment also has a large impact on social concern, influencing the level and nature of social concern, as well as its expression. These environmental effects suggest several strategies for controlling crime. The criminological assumption of self-interest has three components. First, individuals are strongly motivated to satisfy their needs and desires, particularly their short-term needs/desires. This provides substantial motivation for crime because crime is often the most expedient way to get what you want. “The use of force or fraud is often easier, simpler, faster, more exciting, and more certain than other means of securing one’s ends.” (Agnew, 2014, p. 3) The focus on short-term needs and desires is especially conducive to crime, given that the benefits of crime tend to be immediate and the costs