Egoism and Altruism are two ideas widely known in philosophy as two opposing ideas based on the actions of individuals. Egoists believe that people always act in their own self interest no matter what the situation is( Philosophy Questions & Theories, pg 28). Altruists believe that individuals will always act for the benefit of others. ( Philosophy Questions & Theories, pg 28). It is commonly known to be called “unselfishness”. These two ideas highlight the differences between two extreme natures. People by nature are egoists. This will be proven by exploring philosophers such as Ayn Rand, Thomas Hobbes, Henry Sidgwick and their theories on egoism involving rational and ethical egoism. Additionally, it will be proven using philosophers such
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Ayn Rand argues that altruism is what discriminates:"If the sensation of eating a cake is a value, then why is it an immoral indulgence in your stomach, but a moral goal for you to achieve in the stomach of others?"(Ipfs.io,2018) One can see that Rand shows how altruism discriminates and also can make the simple act of eating cake an “immoral indulgence”. Eating cake or doing anything beneficial for yourself isnt immoral, it simply means you are looking out for your own interests. In what way, is this immoral? It’s simply a natural thing for a human to do yet altruism make this act seem selfish. It is clear to see that ethical egoism has some credibility and is also much more ethical and true to the nature of human beings than altruism is. Rand and other philosophers who support ethical egoism see altruism as a block to individual’s goals. (ThoughtCo, 2018)However, many believe that this argument goes against the essence of morality as it goes against “the golden rule” which is essentially that “treat others the way you would like to be treated”. (ThoughtCo, 2018). This is flawed because ethical egoism isn’t necessarily saying that one should treat another badly or in a rude manner, it’s simply saying you need to care for yourself before others as doing so would be more moral. This argument is weak as this is exactly what Rand had discussed. While one can agree that morality concerns all individuals, altruism argues that morality only concerns others which is ultimately wrong. It is more ethical to take care of yourself before others. You cannot solely base morality on the welfare of
Ayn Rand argues that altruism is what discriminates:"If the sensation of eating a cake is a value, then why is it an immoral indulgence in your stomach, but a moral goal for you to achieve in the stomach of others?"(Ipfs.io,2018) One can see that Rand shows how altruism discriminates and also can make the simple act of eating cake an “immoral indulgence”. Eating cake or doing anything beneficial for yourself isnt immoral, it simply means you are looking out for your own interests. In what way, is this immoral? It’s simply a natural thing for a human to do yet altruism make this act seem selfish. It is clear to see that ethical egoism has some credibility and is also much more ethical and true to the nature of human beings than altruism is. Rand and other philosophers who support ethical egoism see altruism as a block to individual’s goals. (ThoughtCo, 2018)However, many believe that this argument goes against the essence of morality as it goes against “the golden rule” which is essentially that “treat others the way you would like to be treated”. (ThoughtCo, 2018). This is flawed because ethical egoism isn’t necessarily saying that one should treat another badly or in a rude manner, it’s simply saying you need to care for yourself before others as doing so would be more moral. This argument is weak as this is exactly what Rand had discussed. While one can agree that morality concerns all individuals, altruism argues that morality only concerns others which is ultimately wrong. It is more ethical to take care of yourself before others. You cannot solely base morality on the welfare of