Ethical Egoism

Ethical Egoism

1. We should act in our own self intrest

2. Psychosocial egoism= we do act in our self intrest

3. Normative

   • Tells us how to behave

4. E.g. donating, you should only do it if you get something out of it

5. its an ethical theory not a pattern of behaviour, you don't have to be selfish

6. Max Stirner

   • "freedom cannot be granted it must be taken"
   • You are the centre of value for yourself
   • A total rejection of any higher cause
   • You should not sacrifice yourself for a spook- an idea
     • We do not want the spook freedom e.g. freedom that the state allows
     • The bad stuff we do is on behalf of spooks
   • We are collaborative by nature
     • BUT events like twin towers
       • But these were people enslaved to spooks

7. everything has value insofar as it applies to me

8. Enzig- uniquness

   • everything is measured against me

9. Union of Egoists

   • cooperation which respects the uniqueness of individuals and supports them in pursuing their individual goals

10. Meta ethical- a debate that arises when the nature of ethics is considered

11. Short and Long Term

    • self interest can be aligned with an action that helps/benefits others
    • actions that could benefit people in the short term might benefit you in the long term

12. Challenges

    • Everyone being unique doesn't mean everyone is equal
    • Destruction of community ethos
      • will of the individual
      • state laws for benefit of majority
      • aim to free people is up to the individual
    • Social injustice and bigotry
      • conflict of interest with others
      • needs of individua

13. Enzige

    • the ego

14. Eigenheit

    • ownness, the idea of mastering oneself