PHI 1103 Chapter Notes - Chapter Are Humans Always Selfish? pp. 108-118: James Rachels, Ethical Egoism, Psychological Egoism
30 Mar 2016
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James rachels : humans are not always sel sh (pages 108-118) Morality is something that humans assume and that they do not question. The term psychological egoism : the view that all men are sel sh and motivated by their own gain. James rachels argues the main idea that all actions are sel sh with two arguments. The setting of this debate is that instead of spending the weekend in the country, which he would have enjoyed, a man stays with his friend to help him study for an upcoming evaluation: first argument. Statement: the agent (man) is just doing what he most wants to do (be a good friend), so he shouldn"t be praised for this. If the end means are wanted by the agent, the action is sel sh because he wants to do it (it will bene t him). Rachels" argument: this argument is irrelevant because the object of want determines if the action is sel sh.
