Phil. 201 ethics M/W/F 2:00pm
Class notes for Wed. 1/24/03

Criticism of Psychological Egoism

1. Unfalsifiable or irrefutable. If a theory is so vacuous that you can't offer any proof or disproof, then it is not much of a theory. If a theory can't be challenged then it probably can't be proven either, and is of very little good. If it can't be imagined as being false, or a test could not be imagined (proposed) which could disprove it, [then its value as a theory is questionable]

2. It disallows the the context between selfish and unselfish. Example: You can't understand light without dark.
Selfish- Fulfilling desires which only benefit you.
Self Interest- fulfilling desires that benefit you and others.

3. There has to be unselfish acts [there existence would then annul the theory] for unselfish to mean something.

4. Absurd consequences [result from applying this theory] Example: Mother Teresa and Charles Manson are equally selfish.

Arguments in favor of (ethical) egoism.

1.Allows people the freedom to pursue their own goals, projects, values(that are important to them).

2.Altruism squanders resources(money)on the weak, the unproductive (useless eaters). It wastes resources on people who won't really be improved by the effort.

3. Altruism hurts those who receive the "help". They become dependant, lazy, resentful, and unproductive. Their self esteem is lowered. It enables [dependance and] self destructive behavior.

4. A society of self-reliant individuals is better than a society of dependant individuals. When people pursue their own interests an overall productive society is produced.