Ethan and Mia just sat down at the Cozy Café, their favorite local restaurant and ordered their usual mea ls. They began eating in silence until Mia’s curiosity got the best of her and she blurted, “I just received the pamphlet in the mail asking me to donate to a child in a third- world country. I think that I should donate, but I was just wondering your opinion.” “Well, I personally think that whatever benefits you is the option you should pick. I don’t believe that it is my duty to care for them. I would do whatever is best for me,” replied Ethan. Mia raised her eyebrows and responded, “Oh so you’re an Egoist? We learned about that in my Introduction to Ethics class.” “Egoist? You act as if being an Egoist is a bad thing.” “I just don’t
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‘The central claim of psychological egoism, then, is that all human choices are self-serving, selfish choices (103).’11 If a person walked by without helping you they are doing nothing morally wrong.” “Well it would not be their moral duty, but ‘… the egoist’s rule of thumb seems to be: Do good to others only so that they will do even more good for you’ (101).1 People would help me because maybe I have something to offer them.” “You are telling me that if I saw you beat up I may believe that you have something to offer me?” Mia looked doubtful, “That does not seem like a lot of motivation to …show more content…
My morality is based off my values and my interests so I can always choice a choice that benefits me. ‘Specifically, ethical egoism tells us that we should always choose what best serves our own interests…’ (103).” 1
“Still seems a little selfish to me! What about love Ethan? Love is selfless! “Selfless love is love that never asks what’s in it for me. Rather, it is always asking what’s in it for the beloved’ (Taylor).” 1
“Say I love my spouse unconditionally. I receive happiness by benefiting her. I am selfish because it is my happiness but just like the invisible hand, in a round-a-bout way I am helping my spouse.”
Mia nods her head, “I understand your point, but there are still flaws, laying your life down for a friend is not selfish. Humans have the natural instinct to survive and if you are willing to die in someone else’s place then you are not selfish you are selfless.”
“What about the practicability? ‘It is fine to be told the ultimate basis of morality, but we also need an ethical theory to tell us what we ought to do in specific situations’
‘The central claim of psychological egoism, then, is that all human choices are self-serving, selfish choices (103).’11 If a person walked by without helping you they are doing nothing morally wrong.” “Well it would not be their moral duty, but ‘… the egoist’s rule of thumb seems to be: Do good to others only so that they will do even more good for you’ (101).1 People would help me because maybe I have something to offer them.” “You are telling me that if I saw you beat up I may believe that you have something to offer me?” Mia looked doubtful, “That does not seem like a lot of motivation to …show more content…
My morality is based off my values and my interests so I can always choice a choice that benefits me. ‘Specifically, ethical egoism tells us that we should always choose what best serves our own interests…’ (103).” 1
“Still seems a little selfish to me! What about love Ethan? Love is selfless! “Selfless love is love that never asks what’s in it for me. Rather, it is always asking what’s in it for the beloved’ (Taylor).” 1
“Say I love my spouse unconditionally. I receive happiness by benefiting her. I am selfish because it is my happiness but just like the invisible hand, in a round-a-bout way I am helping my spouse.”
Mia nods her head, “I understand your point, but there are still flaws, laying your life down for a friend is not selfish. Humans have the natural instinct to survive and if you are willing to die in someone else’s place then you are not selfish you are selfless.”
“What about the practicability? ‘It is fine to be told the ultimate basis of morality, but we also need an ethical theory to tell us what we ought to do in specific situations’