Overview

Egoism is an ethical theory that treats self-interest as the foundation of morality. It comes in two main forms: Psychological Egoism (we always act in self-interest) and Ethical Egoism (we ought to act in self-interest).

Core Idea

The core idea is that looking out for number one is the rational or moral thing to do. Altruism (sacrificing for others) is either impossible or immoral.

Formal Definition

  • Psychological Egoism: The descriptive view that humans are always motivated by self-interest, even in acts of seeming charity (e.g., doing it for the warm glow).
  • Ethical Egoism: The normative view that moral agents ought to do what is in their own self-interest.

Intuition

  • The Oxygen Mask: “Put on your own mask before helping others.” You can’t help anyone if you are dead. Egoism extends this logic to all of life.
  • Capitalism: The idea that if everyone pursues their own profit, the “invisible hand” will benefit society.

Examples

  • Ayn Rand: A famous proponent of “Rational Egoism.” She argued that selfishness is a virtue and altruism is a vice that destroys the individual.
  • Hobbes: Argued that self-interest is the fundamental human motivation, necessitating a strong government to prevent a “war of all against all.”

Common Misconceptions

  • Misconception: Egoism means being a jerk/hedonist.
    • Correction: “Rational” egoism might mean cooperating with others, building a reputation, and being kind, because those things ultimately benefit you in the long run.
  • Misconception: Psychological egoism is scientifically proven.
    • Correction: It is unfalsifiable (you can always invent a hidden selfish motive) and contradicted by evolutionary biology (kin selection).
  • Altruism: The opposite of egoism—acting for the sake of others.
  • Hedonism: The pursuit of pleasure (often linked with egoism).
  • Social Contract: We agree to rules for mutual benefit (a sophisticated egoist strategy).

Applications

  • Economics: Standard economic models assume agents are rational egoists (Homo Economicus).
  • Business: The debate over whether a corporation’s only duty is to its shareholders (Friedman doctrine).

Criticism and Limitations

  • The Arbitrariness Problem: Why is my self-interest special? It seems arbitrary to say “I matter, but you don’t.”
  • Conflict Resolution: If we both want the same resource, egoism gives us no way to resolve the conflict other than fighting.
  • Intuition: It clashes with our deep moral intuition that helping others is good.

Further Reading

  • The Virtue of Selfishness by Ayn Rand
  • Leviathan by Thomas Hobbes
  • The Ego and Its Own by Max Stirner