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Psychological EgoismPsychological Egoism
Soazig Le Bihan -- University of Montana
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OutlineOutline
Introduction: What is psychological egoism and why should we care about it?
Arguments in support of psychological egoism: not valid
Soazig Le Bihan -- University of Montana
Arguments against psychological egoism
Conclusion
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OutlineOutline
Introduction: What is psychological egoism and why should we care about it?
Introduction: What is psychological egoism and why should we care about it?
Arguments in support of psychological egoism: not valid
Soazig Le Bihan -- University of Montana
Arguments against psychological egoism
Conclusion
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IntroductionIntroductionPsychological Egoism: DefinitionPsychological Egoism: Definition
Psychological Egoism:
Psychological Egoism is the view that the only thing that anyone does in fact pursue is his or her own self-interest.
Soazig Le Bihan -- University of Montana
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IntroductionIntroductionWhy should we care about Psy. Ego.?Why should we care about Psy. Ego.?
Psychological Egoism is not a view on morality but a theory of psychology.
Psychological Egoism
Ethical Egoism
Psychology Ethics
Theory about what human behavior ACTUALLY IS
Theory about what human behavior OUGHT TO BE
Soazig Le Bihan -- University of Montana
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IntroductionIntroductionWhy should we care about Psy. Ego.?Why should we care about Psy. Ego.?
Psychological Egoism threatens the relevance of ANY theory of morality:
If it is indeed the case that humans in fact always pursue their sole own interests, then there is no point in discussing what the right thing to do is!
If Psychological Egoism is true, then ethics is pointless
If Psychological Egoism is true, then ethics is pointless
Soazig Le Bihan -- University of Montana
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IntroductionIntroductionWhy should we care about Psy. Ego.?Why should we care about Psy. Ego.?
1. Good behavior only under the threat of sanction
Glaucon and the ring of Gyges
2. Self-deceptive behavior is common
Volunteering with the pretty girl
There is no doubt that egoistic behavior exists; the question is whether it is all there is to
human behavior…
There is no doubt that egoistic behavior exists; the question is whether it is all there is to
human behavior…Soazig Le Bihan -- University of
Montana
Psychological Egoism seems to be supported by some common human behavior:
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OutlineOutline
Introduction: What is psychological egoism and why should we care about it?
Arguments in support of psychological egoism: not valid
Arguments in support of psychological egoism: not valid
Soazig Le Bihan -- University of Montana
Arguments against psychological egoism
Conclusion
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Arguments in favor of Arguments in favor of Psychological EgoismPsychological Egoism
Argument 1: “people always do what they want to do”
P1 Every voluntary action is prompted by a motive of the agent’s own
CC Every voluntary action is selfish
Is this a valid argument? Is this a valid argument?
Soazig Le Bihan -- University of Montana
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Arguments in favor of Arguments in favor of Psychological EgoismPsychological Egoism
Argument 1 is not valid:
Confusion between:
- Motive coming from an agent
- Motive advantageous to the agent
Argument 1 ends up being simply circular Argument 1 ends up being simply circular
Missing assumption:
Any motive coming from an agent is advantageous to the agent
Soazig Le Bihan -- University of Montana
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Arguments in favor of Arguments in favor of Psychological EgoismPsychological Egoism
Argument 2: “people always take pleasure when they get what they want”
P1 When people get what they wants, they feel pleasure
CC The only thing that people pursue is their own pleasure
Is this a valid argument? Is this a valid argument?
Soazig Le Bihan -- University of Montana
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Arguments in favor of Arguments in favor of Psychological EgoismPsychological Egoism
Argument 2 is not valid:
Confusion between
- By-product of an action
- Motive of the action
Example: you, your little girl and the ER
Obviously false! Obviously false!
Missing assumption:
If an action always has for consequence X, then X is the sole object of the action.
Soazig Le Bihan -- University of Montana
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ConclusionConclusion
Two arguments supposed to support Psychological Egoism:
- “people always do what they want to do”- “people always take pleasure when they get what
they want”
Two arguments supposed to support Psychological Egoism:
- “people always do what they want to do”- “people always take pleasure when they get what
they want”
Soazig Le Bihan -- University of Montana
Both assertions are true – almost trivial But none entails Psychological Egoism!
Both assertions are true – almost trivial But none entails Psychological Egoism!
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OutlineOutline
Introduction: What is psychological egoism and why should we care about it?
Arguments in support of psychological egoism: not valid
Soazig Le Bihan -- University of Montana
Arguments against psychological egoismArguments against psychological egoism
Conclusion
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Arguments against Psychological Egoism Arguments against Psychological Egoism Counter-EvidenceCounter-Evidence
Humans are capable of:
- Genuine benevolence – altruism
Ex: helping grandma
- Genuine malevolence
Ex: murdering Dr. George Tiller
There is strong evidence that Psychological Egoism is false
There is strong evidence that Psychological Egoism is false
Soazig Le Bihan -- University of Montana
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Arguments against Psychological EgoismArguments against Psychological EgoismThe problem of universal deceptionThe problem of universal deception
Psychological Egoism is untestable Psychological Egoism is untestable Soazig Le Bihan -- University of
Montana
The theory of universal deception is untestable, and as such, unacceptable as a scientific theory:
Theory Psychological Egoism
Mental Hospital Theory
Moussaka Theory
Counter-Evidence
Saint / Murderer
John and his healthy lifestyle
Microscopic observation of matter
Answer A
Concealing motives
Concealing mental illness
Concealed moussaka
Answer B
Theory Revision!
Theory revision! Theory revision!
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Arguments against Psychological Egoism Arguments against Psychological Egoism The Paradox of HedonismThe Paradox of Hedonism
Feinberg: “The way to achieve happiness is to pursue something else”
- We almost never pursue pleasure for itself
Ex: eating / being hungry / pleasure
- It is necessary to desire something in order to get satisfaction
Ex: Jones
Psychological Egoism misses an essential aspect of the pursuit of happiness
Psychological Egoism misses an essential aspect of the pursuit of happiness
Soazig Le Bihan -- University of Montana
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ConclusionConclusion
Three arguments against Psychological Egoism:1. Existence of counter-evidence2. Untestable Theory3. The “paradox of hedonism”
Three arguments against Psychological Egoism:1. Existence of counter-evidence2. Untestable Theory3. The “paradox of hedonism”
Soazig Le Bihan -- University of Montana
Psychological Egoism is untenable Psychological Egoism is untenable
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OutlineOutline
Introduction: What is psychological egoism and why should we care about it?
Arguments in support of psychological egoism: not valid
Soazig Le Bihan -- University of Montana
Arguments against psychological egoism
ConclusionConclusion
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ConclusionConclusion
Psychological Egoism: the view that the only thing that anyone does in fact pursue is his or her own self-interest
Why should we care about it? If Psychological Egoism is true, then ethics is pointless
Two arguments in favor of Psychological Egoism: both are invalid
Three arguments against Psychological Egoism: Psychological Egoism is untenable
Psychological Egoism: the view that the only thing that anyone does in fact pursue is his or her own self-interest
Why should we care about it? If Psychological Egoism is true, then ethics is pointless
Two arguments in favor of Psychological Egoism: both are invalid
Three arguments against Psychological Egoism: Psychological Egoism is untenable
Soazig Le Bihan -- University of Montana
There is no question that egoistic behavior exists, but it is not the whole story
There is no question that egoistic behavior exists, but it is not the whole story
