Psychological egoism and ethical egoism are two theories that concern the motivations behind human actions. While both theories posit that people are motivated by self-interest, they differ in their views on the nature of that self-interest and the role it plays in moral decision-making.
Psychological egoism is the theory that all human action is ultimately motivated by self-interest. According to this view, even when people seem to be acting selflessly or for the benefit of others, they are ultimately motivated by some kind of personal gain. For example, a person might donate money to charity because it makes them feel good about themselves, or because they want to be seen as generous and charitable by others. In psychological egoism, there is no such thing as truly selfless action – everything that people do is ultimately motivated by their own self-interest.
Ethical egoism, on the other hand, is the theory that acting in one's own self-interest is the morally correct course of action. According to ethical egoism, people should always act in a way that maximizes their own well-being, even if it means disregarding the well-being of others. For example, an ethical egoist might argue that it is perfectly acceptable for a person to lie in order to get ahead, as long as it benefits them in some way.
There are several arguments that have been put forth in support of psychological egoism. One argument is that all human behavior is ultimately motivated by self-interest, whether that be the desire for pleasure, the avoidance of pain, or the pursuit of some other personal goal. Another argument is that people are naturally self-centered and self-interested, and that it is therefore impossible for them to act in a truly selfless manner.
However, psychological egoism has also been criticized for its narrow view of human motivation. Many people argue that people are capable of acting selflessly and for the benefit of others, and that there are many non-selfish motivations that drive human behavior. Furthermore, psychological egoism can be seen as a pessimistic view of human nature, as it suggests that people are inherently selfish and incapable of true altruism.
Ethical egoism, on the other hand, has been criticized for its focus on self-interest at the expense of the well-being of others. Many people argue that it is wrong to prioritize one's own interests over the interests of others, and that ethical egoism leads to a selfish and uncaring society. Additionally, ethical egoism can be seen as incompatible with moral concepts such as fairness, justice, and the common good.
In conclusion, psychological egoism and ethical egoism are two theories that differ in their views on the motivations behind human actions and the role of self-interest in moral decision-making. While psychological egoism posits that all human action is motivated by self-interest, ethical egoism holds that acting in one's own self-interest is the morally correct course of action. Both theories have been criticized for their narrow views of human motivation and their potential negative consequences for society.
