The document discusses the concept of ethical egoism. It provides background on how ethical egoism was introduced by philosopher Henry Sidgwick in 1874. It states that according to ethical egoism, an action is morally right if it is intended to pursue one's own desires or interests. The document then discusses different types of egoism, including personal ethical egoism, individual ethical egoism, universal ethical egoism, hedonistic egoism, and rational egoism. It also mentions several contributors to egoism theory, such as Adam Smith, Ayn Rand, and James Rachels.

2. PRESENTED BY :
Aishwarya Laxmi
Ashlatha
Bhargavi
Chaitra
Deeksha
Deeksha K
Deepali

3. The Concept of Egoism :
Ethical egoism was introduced by the philosopher Henry
Sidgwick in his book “The Methods of Ethics”, written in
1874.
The theory of egoism states that an action is morally right if
the decision maker freely decides in order to pursue either
their desires or their interests.

4. In philosophy, egoism is the theory that one’s self is, or should be, the
motivation and the goal of one’s own action. Egoism has two
variants, descriptive or normative. The descriptive (or positive)
variant conceives egoism as a factual description of human affairs.
That is, people are motivated by their own interests and desires, and
they cannot be described otherwise. The normative variant proposes
that people should be so motivated, regardless of what presently
motivates their behavior.
The term “egoism” derives from “ego,” the Latin term for “I” in
English. Egoism should be distinguished from egotism, which means
a psychological overvaluation of one’s own importance, or of one’s
own activities.

5. Focus :
Individual desires or Self interest : Egoism states that person put his
interest first. Ego of one person differs from another person.
Rule :
Maximization of desires or self interest.
Type :
Consequentialist : It is more outcome oriented. It moves from action to
outcome.
Concept of human beings :
Man as an actor with limited knowledge and objectives.

6.  Distinguish between egoism based on desire from
selfishness.
 Desire :
Ex: Ramesh and Suresh working in the same
office and both have a desire to earn more money. So
here Ramesh will go in a ethical way, by his hard work
he will earn and became rich. On the other hand Suresh
followed unethical way and by accepting corruption he
made money. so here both persons had same desire but
the way they achieve the desire differs. Here their ego
will come into picture.

7. Selfishness :
Egoism based on selfishness and which is sometimes differ from selfishness.
Selfish means excessive self- interst and insensitive to others.
 Egoism is based on the pursuit of interest.
Egoism which is moves with self- interest.
Example : Tata started CSR activities for them self . They knew making
employees happy will results in overall growth. But now government has
made CSR activity as mandatory many MNCs are doing it for government’s
sake.

8. Types of egoism :
1) Personal ethical egoism:
Only me and everyone else is irrelevant.
2) Individual ethical egoism :
Everyone should act in his self interest.
3) Universal ethical egoism :
Everyone should act in their own interest.
4) Hedonistic egoism :
Where people more concentrated on short term pleasure.
5) Rational egoism :
Everyone should act in a way that promote long term pleasure.

9. Contributors :
1) Adam Smith
2) James Rachels
3) Ayn Rand
4) Sigmund Freud
5) Wallach and Wallach,
6) Henry Sidgwick
7) Yang Zhu

10. Adam Smith :
The aim of Adam Smith is to produce wider social benefits
because of this belief of him some have linked smith’s theory to
egoist practices.
He argued that in the economy system pursuit of individual self
interest was acceptable because it produced a morally desirable
outcome for society to “the invisible hand” of the market place .
Yang Zhu :
( 4th century B.C.), Yangism , who states that, "everything for
myself", as the only virtue necessary for self-cultivation.

11. Ayn Rand :
She quoted that, If a man accepts the ethics of altruism, his first
concern is not how to live his life but how to sacrifice it.“
She promoted Egoism and stated it as “objectivism” or “Rational
self interest”.
She wrote a book on Virtues of Selfishness.
James Rachel :
James Rachel’s argues that everyone is familiar with ones own
needs and wants and is imperfectly aware of what others wants,
needs, desires are about.
Further said according to James, that we should mind our own
business and others should be left to mind theirs

12. Case Study :
There lived two best friends Sam and Sunil. Sam had a girlfriend from 5
long years. But recently due to some reason their relationship was
getting complicated. Misunderstandings and arguments made their once
happy relationship fade away. Priya, Sam’s girlfriend was very sad after
the break up. Sunil came to her rescue and gave her emotional support.
Gradually, they got closer and got committed to each other. Sam got to
know this matter. He was furious and broke his friendship with Sunil.
Best friends were now strangers. Years passed but the two friends still
stayed apart.

13. Cont…..
Shwetha, Sam’s cousin was sick. She needed an immediate kidney
transplant and she was admitted to the hospital. The doctor gave Sam
two days of time to find a donor but unfortunately, they were not able to
find an organ donor. Sunil had come to the same hospital for a routine
checkup at the same time. There he got to know about his best friend’s
mother through the doctor. He decided to donate his kidney and tell the
doctor. The doctor gave the good news to Sam. When Sam found out
who the donor was he was angry, his ego came in between and he asked
the doctor to refuse Sunil’s proposal. But the doctor tried convincing
Sam .

14. Now the question is -
 Will Sam’s ego come in between and refuse Sunil’s
proposal?
or
 Will he let Sunil to donate his organ?

15. THANK YOU