Definition: Psychological egoism is the theory that suggests human beings are always motivated by self-interest, even in what seem to be acts of altruism.
Key Concept: The idea is that every action, no matter how selfless it seems, is ultimately done for personal gain.
Arguments for Psychological Egoism
Obligation of Self-Interest: People are compelled to act in their own best interest, which can be misconstrued as moral or altruistic.
Hidden Motives: Actions perceived as altruistic often have underlying selfish motives.
Evolutionary Perspective: Suggests that self-interested behavior is a trait developed for survival and reproductive success.
Criticisms of Psychological Egoism
Moral Intuition Conflict: The theory conflicts with common moral intuitions about altruism and sacrifice.
Falsifiability Issue: Critics argue the theory is unfalsifiable as it interprets any evidence of altruism as hidden self-interest.
Empirical Evidence: Lack of concrete empirical evidence to support the universality of the theory.
Key Examples and Thought Experiments
Charity Work: Examining if charitable acts are done for self-gratification or genuine concern for others.
Paradox of Hedonism: Pursuit of pleasure often leads to less happiness, questioning if true self-interest is fulfilled.
Philosophical Implications
Ethical Egoism Relation: Discusses how psychological egoism differs from ethical egoism, which prescribes that individuals ought to act in their own self-interest.
Moral Responsibility: Raises questions about moral responsibility if all actions are inherently self-serving.
Conclusion
Psychological egoism presents a challenging perspective on human motivation, encouraging deeper examination of seemingly altruistic behavior.
The debate between egoism and altruism remains a central discussion in philosophical and psychological studies.