PHIL 2070 Chapter Notes -Ethical Egoism, Tivo, Egotism
5 Dec 2014
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Thomas hobbes (a psychological egoist): argued that, it is in fact in each person"s advantage best interest to enter into contract with others stipulating that everyone will comply with certain rules of conduct, and then to appoint a ruler to ensure that everyone complies with the contract: according to this, psychological egoism is compatible with social cooperation as long as we all benefit from the cooperation. Problems: leaves out the possibility that we act on mixed motives, we may have concern for ourselves, we can also have concern for others and that both concerns may motivate our actions, contradicts themselves: ethical theory that claims that everyone ought to act in their own best interest, but on the other hand it cannot be to her personal advantage for everyone else to behave in this manner, he or she may not serve their own interest well by openly advocating ethical egoism, it conflicts with our institutions about justice, fairness, advice and friendship.
