Ethics and Morality
In basic terms, ethical egoism can be regarded as an ethical position (normative) in which case an agent ought to undertake a course of action that maximizes his or her own self-interest. Thus in this case, the primary duty of the agent is to promote his or her own interests. In this text, I concern myself with ethical egoism. In so doing, I develop several arguments in favor of the theory. Further, I highlight several objections that could possibly be used to counter my arguments.
Ethical Egoism: Supporting Arguments
In the opinion of Arrington (1998), "ethical egoism is the claim that every person ought to act so as to promote her own self-interest." Several arguments can be used in support of ethical egoism. To begin with, it is important to note that each individual is more often than not perfectly aware of his or her needs and wants. It is such knowledge that places an individual in a better position to pursue and solve his or her needs more efficiently. On the other hand, we cannot claim to know or perfectly understand the needs of others. In that regard, we may not be uniquely placed to pursue or solve such needs. Thus in such a case, if we set out to solve the needs of others i.e. By being "our brother's keeper," chances of doing a poor job would be rather high. In such a case, it is only reasonable that we seek to solve our own problems which we are perfectly aware of. Further, it can also be argued that meddling in other people's affairs as we seek to help them out is an unnecessary intrusion into their privacy. Apart from intruding into their privacy, seeking to maximize the interests of others by making them objects of our concern is in a way degrading to the self-respect as well as dignity of the recipients of such concern. In addition, such concern also interferes with the independence of the recipients by making them reliant on others. Thus in the final analysis,...
Ethical Egoism & Abortion Ethical egoism, as a philosophical position, holds that it is an ethical obligation for people to act in their own self-interest. How does this philosophical position deal with the debate over the morality of abortion? It is necessary, before beginning a closer analysis, to define our terms. Abortion is a hotly contested issue, but our sense of ethics here needs to be understood first as distinct from
Most philosophers, however, reject egoism or ethical egoism as it violates the foundations of an ethical system. Two persons to both maximize their respective self-interests will lead to conflict. Moreover, egoism inclines towards the exploitation of the weak. When a person is caught performing an illegal act or an act violating a professional code of ethics, it is almost always because of egoistic behavior that he committed it (Cengage). Gun
Others argue against Ethical Egoism. The work of Pecorino states as an argument against Ethical Egoism the facts as follows: Ethical Egoism "provides no moral basis for solving conflicts between people; (2) Ethical Egoism "obligates each person to prevent others from doing the right thing; (3) Has the same logical basis as racism"; (4) "The egoist cannot advise others to be egoists because it works against the first egoists
83). Let us go through these arguments. The first argument does not suggest that a person involved in business should disregard any ethical obligations. One can economically survive in business without violating the norms of morality. Moreover, as Beverluis argues, "we are in a real sense 'doing' business ethics. For what is a 'right'? If one puts forward the claim to have certain moral rights (as opposed to legal rights),
Ethical egoism unsatisfactory moral theory; important corrective ethics -sacrifice. Briefly relate ethical egoism, defended Ayn Rand, ethics -sacrifice, presented Carol Gilligan's stage moral development. Philosophy commentary 1st thread Conventional morality tends to prioritize self-sacrifice as the ideal, particularly for females. However, the valorization of self-sacrifice can be taken too far -- Gilligan's theory of gender-based moral development seems to suggest that it is 'natural' for girls to prioritize harmony over objective ethical
Ethics and Nursing One of the nurses you work with is an ethical egoist, should you report him to your nurses' supervisor? Why or why not? This person should not be reported because the definition of what is meant by good has not been given. For example, Socrates could be considered an ethical egoist because he held the position that persons of intelligence always act in their own self-interest, i.e., for their
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