Ethical Egoism vs. Altruism
After reviewing the readings on ethical egoism and altruism, I felt the two topics seemed contradictory, yet codependent on the other. To compare them, one must first understand what each term means.
Ethical egoism is the theory that a person should act on self-interest alone. This comes from the idea that a person knows one’s self best, thus should seek out his or her own self-gratification first to achieve a happier life. This does not mean that the ethical egotist cannot aid others, but they transform a selfless act of kindness to benefit themselves. An example would be my youngest son, wanting to help make brownies. He does not mind helping pouring ingredients and mixing them together, but really it’s the sweet, chocolate batter on the spoon he’s going taste, influencing his decision to help in the kitchen.
On the other side of the spectrum, Altruism means that an individual should look out for the best interest of others, foregoing one’s own needs. In the book The Elements of Moral Philosophy, it is stated that philosopher Ann …show more content…
Ethical egoism promotes self-interest, suggesting keeping one’s own agenda in the forefront, whereas altruism is placing additional value on other people’s needs before your own. The dilemma is, to place others needs before your own, you must take care of yourself to accomplish the task. Pertaining to my own life, I work as a nursing technician in a hospital setting. Every day, I come to work, helping patients heal so they are well enough to go home. However, if I do not keep myself in good health, leading to illness, I would be more of a threat to my patients than a help. Henry Hazlitt’s agreed in The Foundations of Morality, stating, “In various ways the well-being of each rises and falls with the well-being of all…From the dawn of life, then, egoism has been depend upon altruism as altruism has been dependent upon egoism”
After reviewing the readings on ethical egoism and altruism, I felt the two topics seemed contradictory, yet codependent on the other. To compare them, one must first understand what each term means.
Ethical egoism is the theory that a person should act on self-interest alone. This comes from the idea that a person knows one’s self best, thus should seek out his or her own self-gratification first to achieve a happier life. This does not mean that the ethical egotist cannot aid others, but they transform a selfless act of kindness to benefit themselves. An example would be my youngest son, wanting to help make brownies. He does not mind helping pouring ingredients and mixing them together, but really it’s the sweet, chocolate batter on the spoon he’s going taste, influencing his decision to help in the kitchen.
On the other side of the spectrum, Altruism means that an individual should look out for the best interest of others, foregoing one’s own needs. In the book The Elements of Moral Philosophy, it is stated that philosopher Ann …show more content…
Ethical egoism promotes self-interest, suggesting keeping one’s own agenda in the forefront, whereas altruism is placing additional value on other people’s needs before your own. The dilemma is, to place others needs before your own, you must take care of yourself to accomplish the task. Pertaining to my own life, I work as a nursing technician in a hospital setting. Every day, I come to work, helping patients heal so they are well enough to go home. However, if I do not keep myself in good health, leading to illness, I would be more of a threat to my patients than a help. Henry Hazlitt’s agreed in The Foundations of Morality, stating, “In various ways the well-being of each rises and falls with the well-being of all…From the dawn of life, then, egoism has been depend upon altruism as altruism has been dependent upon egoism”