Discussion: Psychological Egoism & Ethical Egoism.

Overview

• Answer ONE of the following Discussion Prompts:
  • Option A: What is the difference between psychological egoism and ethical egoism? Does the truth of one of these theories imply the truth of the other? Why or why not? Explain your thinking.
  • Option B: Most people argue that discrimination on the basis of arbitrary and irrelevant traits (such as race, gender, sexual orientation, hair color etc) is immoral. What would ethical egoism say about this claim to the immorality of such discrimination by promoting one's own interests over the claimed "rights" of others? What do you think about this? Why do you think what you think?
  • Option C: Currently many people in the United States claim to be libertarians, arguing for self-reliance as the primary virtue in society. Are these "libertarians" actually libertarians ... or are they actually egoists (in sheep's clothing?) In other words, when does a belief in 'self-reliance' devolve into a dog-eat-dog, Purge-like existence? And is that really the world we want to live in? Explain if you see distinctions between libertarianism and ethical egoism and, if you do, explain what these differences are. Do you think that the ethical egoist has gotten ahold of a basic truth of life; that life *is* "dog-eat-dog" and pretending it isn't is a 'chump move'? Defend your reasoning for thinking this if you do, and argue against it, if you don't.