Ethical Egoism

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Ethical egoism is the normative ethical theory that states that each person should only pursue what is in their own self-interest. A person's only duty is to themselves and there is no moral duty for a person to put their needs to one side for the sake of others, to obey particular rules

Ayn Rand, egoist philosopher, regarded altruism as destructive because it treats and individual's life as a disposable commodity. A person only has one life, but altruism demands that they sacrifice this life for the good of others , either by dying or sacrificing their well-being for them. She saw supporters of altruism as "parasites and moochers" and egoism as the only way to ensure your life is valued and taken seriously.

Ethical egoism is non-religious, not acknowledging G-d or any divinity as a moral authority, instead defining morality in terms of self-interest.

It should not be confused with psychological egoism, which holds that we naturally seek out our own self-interest, even if our behaviour suggests otherwise, and has been supported by great minds like Plato in The Republic. Ethical egoism instead argues that we should.

Ethical egoism focuses on the agent and rejects the notion of universal moral obligation.

Focussing on the Long Term

Egoism asks one to consider short term and long term consequences, not simply promoting selfish actions. In this way it differs from Hedonism.

Actions benefiting others may achieve the goal of advancing one's self interest, for example, a business cares for its customers or workers because in the long term it brings personal financial rewards.

Max Stirner

Max Stirner developed his own ethical egoism in his book, The Ego and His Own.

Initially, he rejected psychological egoism because he argued that most self-interest is deluded which that the soul is a slave to "spooks" or illusions unless liberated. For example, religious, philosophical, or materialistic frameworks for moral behaviour control us, even if we accept them gladly and by choice.

Stirner argued that ideologies that are not true to the self will never lead to self-interest and true freedom. 

An ethical egoist has to have a clear idea of what the self is, and only then is able to act in a self-interested way. They must understand their "ownness" (eigenheit) and not be driven by materialistic or any other slavish ends to liberate one's self. In being free from constraints of created ideologies, the self becomes truly "self" and therefore "unique" (einzig). 

The only way to engage with one's uniqueness in the world is to be party to the union of egoists, an impermanent arrangement that recognises the uniqueness of the egoist and disbands as soon as the particular issue of self-interest has been achieved.

Challenges to Ethical Egoism

Ethical egoism could potentially lead to the breakdown of community - many anarchists often site Striner for their beliefs. Social justice is about the welfare of the collective and both cannot and should not be driven by individual needs.

For many, the pursuit of self interest leads to conflict at points where personal interests collide. This could mean that only the powerful prevail.

Stirner's declaration, "Should I not help myself as well as I can?" has been critiqued by many as opening the door to social chaos.

QUOTE BANK!!

Stirner: “Why will you not take courage now to really make yourselves the central point and the main thing altogether?”

Stirner: “I decide whether it is the right thing in me; there is no right thing outside me.”

Stirner: “Away, then, with every concern that is not altogether my concern!”

Stirner: “I am unique. Hence my wants too are unique, and my deeds; in short, everything about me is unique.” 

Romans 6:18: "You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness."

Plato: "No man would keep his hands off what was not his own when he could safely take what he likes out of the market or go into houses and lie with any one at his pleasure, or kill or release from prison whom he would and in all respects be like a G-d among men."

Baier: Egoists are "self centred, inconsiderate, unfeeling, unprincipled, ruthless, self-aggrandisers, pursuers of the good things in life whatever the cost to others, people who only think about themselves, or, if about others, then merely as a means to their own ends."

Pratchett: "Evil begins when you begin to treat people as things."

Rand: Altruists are "parasites and moochers"

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