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1. Egoism vs. Altruism
The study of Morality requires that one
addresses the dilemma of Psychological
Egoism & Altruism as well as focus on
Ethical Egoism & Altruism.

2. What are Egoism & Altruism?
 Altruism: Acting for the sake of others.
 One may be altruistic to recognize obligations
to other people.
 One may be altruistic by making one’s
interests as important as one’s own.
 Egoism: Acting out of self-interest.
 People act respectfully or kindly for their own
advantage

3. What is the Psychological
Perspective?
The Psychological perspective refers whether
we are can only act primarily for our own self-
interest or whether it is possible to act for the
sake of others.
 Based more on the question of what is in
our natures
 Do we naturally act for ourselves or for
others?
 Is it possible to act for others’ interests?

4. Ethical Perspective
Ethical Egoism: One ought to act selfishly
 Ayn Rand’s “Virtue of Selfishness”
Ethical Altruism: One ought to act for others’ sake
 Joseph Butler’s “Critique of Ethical Egoism”

5. Ayn Rand
 Virtue of Selfishness: “Altruism permits no
concept of a self-respecting, self-
supporting man…altruism permits no view
of men except as sacrificial animals.”
 If an act is not in one’s interests, it denies self-
respect
 One must act for one’s self-interest

6. Story of Lincoln &
the Sow
 Lincoln argues he saves the piglets after
hearing the mother squealing.
 Was his act one of egoism or altruism?
 Lincoln claims he was acting to avoid feeling guilty
 Goes back to the question of Psychological
Egoism (is it possible to not act in self-interest)

7. Should we be Egoists or Altruists?
Psychology
 Is it possible to act selflessly? If so, provide an example.
 If it is not possible, respond to the 3 arguments of Joseph Butler
in the textbook (pg. 254-255).
Ethics
 Can we create a principle (a moral obligation) to be Altruistic?
 i.e.: One ought to act for others’ interest rather than self-interest
because…
 Can we create a principle (a moral obligation) to be Egocentric?
 i.e.: One ought to act for self-interest rather than the interests of others
because...