This document provides an overview of the ethical theory of ethical egoism. It begins by explaining that ethical egoism is a normative theory that judges actions based on self-interest rather than altruism. It notes that ethical egoism focuses on long-term self-interest rather than short-term desires. The document then discusses Max Stirner's conception of ethical egoism, in which he argued that self-interest should be the root of all actions. Finally, the document outlines some of the challenges to ethical egoism, including that it could destroy a sense of community, lead to social injustices, and be seen as a form of bigotry by prioritizing some individuals over others.

1. Ethical Egoism
By the end of this lesson you
will have:
• Understood what is meant by
ethical egoism
• Learnt how this is different to
psychological egoism
• Applied these situations to
dilemmas

3. Spec Check
AO1 AO2
Ethical Egoism:
Normative agent focused ethic based on self-interest
as opposed to altruism; ethical theory that
matches the moral agent's psychological state
(psychological egoism); concentration on long term
self-interests rather than short term interests; Max
Stirner, self-interest as the root cause of every
human action even if it appears altruistic; rejection of
egoism for material gain; union of egoists.
Challenges: destruction of a community ethos; social
injustices could occur as individuals put their
own interests first; a form of bigotry (why is one moral
agent more important than any other?).
* The extent to which ethical egoism inevitably leads
to moral evil.
* The extent to which all moral actions are motivated
by self-interest.

4. Starter - Ethical Egoism
• What do you think of when you hear the word ‘ego’?

5. Starter - Ethical Egoism
•If you were an ego maniac…..
•What ‘college’ rules would you devise?

6. What is Ethical Egoism?
• Egoism is a form of consequentialism because it asks you to weigh up what
actions would be good for your own self-interest
• It states that one should not (as altruism does) sacrifice one's own interests to
help others' interests, so long as one's own interests are substantially equivalent
to the others' interests and well-being.
• If you interests are as important as someone else's – you have a duty to protect
yourself
• Ethical egoism does not, however, require moral agents to harm the interests and
well-being of others when making moral deliberation; e.g. what is in an agent's
self-interest may be incidentally detrimental, beneficial, or neutral in its effect on
others.
• Nor does ethical egoism necessarily entail that, in pursuing self-interest, one
ought always to do what one wants to do; e.g. in the long term, the fulfillment of
short-term desires may prove detrimental to the self. Fleeting pleasure, then,
takes a back seat to protracted eudaimonia. In the words of James Rachels,
"Ethical egoism [...] endorses selfishness, but it doesn't endorse foolishness."

7. Ethical Egoism is as a normative agent
focussed ethic
• The study of ethical action
• i.e. ‘How should I act today?
What should I do in this
situation’
• Ethical Egoism
NORMATIVE • This means that it looks at how
humans ought to behave
• The word ‘ought’ means – duty
• So when someone tells you that
you ought to do something, they
are giving you a moral command

8. Ethical Egoism is Based on Self-Interest as
Opposed to Altruism
• Self interest = one's personal interest or advantage, especially when
pursued without regard for others. Often seen as self-serving
• Altruism = disinterested and selfless concern for the well-being of
others.
• This basically means that the person has a duty to act in a way which
pleases them and helps them meet their own goals.
• Think, Pair, Share: In what way could acting out of self-interest create
an ethically good society?

9. Psychological Egoism is a branch of egoism
• Psychological Egoism states that a human being is psychologically
incapable of doing anything that does not promote his or her self-
interest
• It is different to ethical egoism which suggests that humans have a
choice or a duty to act out of self-interest
• Psychological egoism believes that any motive behind any action is
selfish
• Psychological egoism can NOT include un-selfish desires

10. Ethical Egoism is based on long term not
short term interests
• Ethical Egoism accepts that you may have to forgo things in the short
term for a long term benefit
• EG even if you wanted to go to park life the day before your RS exam,
this would not ultimately be in your long term interests as you may
fail the exam…

11. Max Stirner - Quiz, Quiz, Trade
• Look up the answer to your question
• On your whiteboard write BOTH the question AND the answer
• You have 10 mins to swap answers as many times as possible with
people in your class

12. Max Stirner – Quiz, Quiz, Trade – Using
Stanford Encyclopaedia Sheet
• 1. What is an egoist?
• 2. Complete this quote ‘I am everything to myself and I do everything ….’
• 3. How does Stirner view other people?
• 4. What are all humans according to Stirner?
• 5. Why can an individual not bear to only be part of society?
• 6. What is the only reason that an egoist would support a higher being according
to Stirner?
• 7. What is the greatest threat towards Man’s individuality according to Striner?
• 8. What must egoism lead to?
• 9. Why does hierarchy need to be removed?
• 10. Why does Stirner promote a –dis-respect for property?

13. Max Stirner – Quiz, Quiz, Trade – Using
EDQUAS textbook
• 1. What century is Max Stirner?
• 2. How did Stirner accept psychological egoism?
• 3. Why is the notion of the ‘self-interest’ deluded?
• 4. Does Stirner think that we are actually free to make moral decisions?
• 5. What is the only way to engage one’s uniqueness in the world?
• 6. How have religious frameworks degraded humans?
• 7. How would Stirner say that a human should respond to giving a poor
person money?
• 8. How does Stirner say that someone reaches ‘ownness’?
• 9. What does being unique mean for Stirner?
• 10. What is the union of egoists?

14. Max Striner’s Ethical Egoism
• 19th Century German
Scholar
• Wrote The Ego and its Own
• Stated that man needs to
break free from the
frameworks which prevent
him from acting in his own
self-interest
• Even something such as
money or property can be a
threat to man’s freedom

15. Max Striner’s Ethical Egoism
• Stirner suggested that self-interest should be the root cause of every
action
• Stirner suggested that humans need to reject material gain when
pursuing self-interest. This is because even money is distracting when
pursuing self-interest
• Stirner suggested that society people should work together as a
‘union of egoists’ because co=operation is important to get your own
goals in life.
• EG For your self-interest you need a teacher to get to
University/Apprenticeship – so you might do what a teacher says
because you know it will benefit you in the long run

16. Dilemmas - Applied
• You want to get drunk at a party the week before your RS exam – do
you go home or go hard?
• You want an abortion because you don’t feel as though you can cope
raising at child at 17 as this would affect you’re a-Levels and future
career – do you abort or not?
• You are in a fire and could try and save another person next to you, or
just run and get out yourself – what do you do?
• You care about education and believe everyone has a right to
education. You see a job advertised that pays below minimum wage
to raise awareness of education in high schools – do you apply for the
job?

17. ‘What is Ethical Egoism with reference to Max
Stirner’ (20)
Write Up – AO1 paragraph starters…
• P1. Ethical egoism is a normative agent focussed ethics based on self-
interest as opposed to altruism……
• P2. Ethical Egoism is an ethical theory that matches the moral agent’s
psychological state……..
• P3. Ethical Egoism concentrates on long term self-interests rather than
short term interests…..
• P4. 19th Century scholar Max Stirner developed Ethical Egoism to state self
interest should be the root cause of every human action even if it appears
altruistic
• P5. Stirner went on to suggest that humans should reject material gain and
the develop a union of egoists
• TASK: Using the EDUQAS textbook pages on ethical egoism, write up your
designated paragraph

18. Ethical Egoism - Challenges
By the end of this lesson you
will have:
• Re-capped what you know
so far on Egoism
• Understood the challenges
against ethical egoism
• Evaluated ethical egoism

19. Destruction of a community Ethos
• Community = a group of people living in the same place or having a
particular characteristic in common.
• THINK: Why might Ethical egoism destruct a community ethos?
• Because a community ethos is where people work together and share
in each other's strengths and weaknesses.
• What would happen to the homeless charities that help the less
fortunate?

20. Social Injustices Could Occur
• Ethical egoism encourages the pursuit of an individual’s own interests,
however these could lead to another individual’s suffering
• EG David Cameron suggested an EU referendum to keep him in
power, but this has left millions unhappy and poorer

21. It can be seen as a form of bigotry
• A bigot is a prejudiced person, who is intolerant towards different
people. Bigots tend to believe their own group is superior to others
and divide themselves from other people
• Bigotry can lead to sexism and racism
• EG If people believe their own self-interest is to keep women in the
house out of work, ethical egoism would encourage this

22. AO2 Attempt – ‘Ethical Egoism inevitably
leads to moral evil’
• FIRST
• Think of 3 points for and 3 points against
• NEXT
• Decide for yourself what your response to the question is
• THEN
• Plan a response using the PESEL structure in your essay planning
booklet

23. Ethical Egoism will lead to moral evil
WILL WON’T
Because self-interest could lead
to immoral acts i.e. murder
The union of egoists wouldn’t let
that happen as it’s in self-interest
to live in a safe society
With freedom comes great
responsibility to act for yourself –
if frameworks are removed then
the most vulnerable are targeted
(people may not pay taxes or give
to charity)
However, mutual aid still exists in
egoism which could help
vulnerable people (there is less
crime when people are helped)
It can lead to bigotry which is a
form of moral evil (man might
want his wife to stay at home)
Arguably egoism needs co-
operation between races/sexes in
order for your own self interests
to flourish

24. ROLE PLAY
• Create a script based on your ethical theory
• The play needs to be 5mins long (i.e. include key words and key
features of the theory)
• Each script needs to focus on a chosen ethical dilemma
• Everyone needs at least ONE speaking part (confidence building)
• Your script should involve the pros and the cons of the theory
• The script needs an ending – what are you deciding to do based on
your theory?
• You can make props?? Be creative!!

25. Ethical Egoism - Challenges
By the end of this lesson you
will have:
• Re-capped what you know
so far on Egoism
• Understood the challenges
against ethical egoism
• Evaluated ethical egoism