Psychological Egoism :: Psychology Selfishness Selfish Egoism essays

Psychological Egoism Psychological egoism is a reflex that every person has to orient themselves toward their own welfare. Through this, it follows that every one of his (or her) voluntary actions is some good to himself. If someone gives away the last piece of bread to someone else, it is because they want to look like a better person. Due to the fact that they would give away the last piece of bread. Human nature is completely and exclusively egoistic. People are entirely selfish and devoid of any genuine feelings of sympathy, benevolence, or sociability. They are always thinking of themselves in everything they do.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Each individual is preoccupied exclusively with the gratification of personal desires (felicity or happiness).Ones success in maintaining a continuous flow of gratification is the means of ones happiness.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The object of the voluntary acts of every man is some good to himself. Whenever man renounces his right it is either in consideration for some right reciprocally transferred to himself, or for some other good he hopes for from the outcome. This presents us with the old saying: "Do unto others as you would want them to do unto you."   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Social organization originates out of self interest. All society is for gain, or for glory. It is not like we think it is—for love of our fellows. Instead it is for self preservation. It is a sort of social contract. In a state of nature we are at war with each other and life is solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short. In a natural state individuals are in equal powers. Voluntary collective organization is the most effective way for individuals to utilize their powers.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Man should be allowed the right to use all means or actions to preserve himself. For every man is desirous of what is good to him, and shuns what is evil, but chiefly the chiefest of natural evil, which is death. The right to bear arms. In conclusion, I would like to say that? Psychological Egoism-- This is the claim that humans by nature are motivated only by self-interest . Any act, no matter how altruistic it might seem, is actually motivated by some selfish desire of the agent (e.g., desire for reward, avoidance of guilt, personal happiness). This is a descriptive claim about human nature. Since the claim is universal--all acts are motivated by self interest--it could be proven false by a single counterexample (Weston, rule #11). It will be difficult to find an action that the psychological egoist will acknowledge as purely altruistic, however. There is almost always some benefit to ourselves in any action we choose.