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Selfish vs. selfless action
- A selfish action sacrifices someone else's interests for their own. For example, grabbing the last slice of cake.
- An unselfish action is where you place another person's interests ahead of your own. For example, you offer someone the last piece of cake, even though you'd like it for yourself. If you get satisfaction out of helping others, that sort of desire is unselfish.
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Objections to psychological egoism
The most obvious objection to psychological egoism is that there are numerous clear examples of people putting others' interests before their own.
Although psychological egoists think they can explain seemingly virtuous actions, their theory rests on a false account of hu...
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Why psychological egoism is appealing
- It satisfies our preference for simplicity. In science, we favour theories that explain several phenomena by showing them to all be controlled by the same force. Newton's theory of gravity gives one principle to explain a falling apple.
- It offers a seemingl...
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Psychological egoism
It is the theory that all our actions are motivated by self-interest.
The view is endorsed by philosophers such as Tomas Hobbes and Friedrich Nietzsche.
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The self-interested action
A self-interested action is one that is motivated to serve your own interest. You drink water because you have an interest in quenching your own thirst. You show up for work because you have an interest in being paid.
Psychological egoists think they can explain a...
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What is selfish altruism?
Selfish altruism is a win/win situation.
It usually applies in these categories:
- Transactions: buying cars, for example (you get your car, the dealer gets a bonus); doesn’t imply emotional bonds
- Family: protecting people that share our genes
- Statu...
We Want To Avoid Seeming Selfish
We have a limited number of hours to play with each day. That means every time we say yes to someone, we’re saying no to someone or something else. And every time we say no, we free ourselves to spend that time and attention on another person or interest.
Self-care isn’t selfish. It’s neces...
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