What is Psychological Egoism? Psychological Egoism Definition, Explanation, and Objections

Summary

In this video, Ben explores psychological egoism, a theory stating that all human actions are motivated by self-interest, even in seemingly altruistic acts. He explains the origins of the theory, citing philosophers like Hobbes and Bentham, and contrasts it with psychological altruism. Ben reviews notable objections, such as arguments from Joseph Butler, David Hume, and Derek Parfit, who challenge the idea that all human behavior is selfish. The video ultimately questions the validity of psychological egoism and invites viewers to share their opinions in the comments.

Takeaways

• 📖 Psychological egoism is the theory that people are always motivated by self-interest, even in seemingly altruistic acts.
• 🧠 This theory is descriptive, explaining how things are, not prescribing how they ought to be, unlike normative philosophies.
• 📚 The philosophy is largely attributed to Thomas Hobbes and Jeremy Bentham, who argue that all voluntary actions are driven by self-interest.
• 💡 Bentham's version of psychological egoism, called psychological hedonism, claims that all human desires are ultimately rooted in seeking pleasure or avoiding pain.
• 🤔 Psychological egoism asserts that even acts like charity or volunteering are driven by selfish motives, such as gaining respect or feeling good about oneself.
• ❌ There are major objections to psychological egoism, including Joseph Butler's argument that people must desire things other than their own welfare to achieve it.
• 👩‍👧 David Hume argues that certain actions, like a mother's care for her child, cannot be explained by self-interest, as they often come at personal cost.
• 🔄 Derek Parfit critiques the theory for using the word 'want' in multiple senses, making its logic incoherent and equivocal.
• 🔁 Some critics argue that psychological egoism is circular in nature, claiming that all voluntary acts are self-interested simply because they are voluntary.
• 🧐 The video concludes by suggesting that psychological egoism is a flawed and illogical theory of human behavior, inviting viewers to share their thoughts in the comments.

Q & A

What is psychological egoism?

Psychological egoism is the theory that people are always motivated by self-interest, even in cases that seem altruistic. It is a descriptive philosophy that claims to explain how things are, not how they should be.

How is psychological egoism different from normative philosophies?

Psychological egoism is descriptive, meaning it only aims to explain how people act, not how they ought to act. In contrast, normative philosophies are concerned with how people should act based on moral or ethical standards.

Who are the key philosophers associated with psychological egoism?

Thomas Hobbes and Jeremy Bentham are two key philosophers associated with psychological egoism. Hobbes argued that all voluntary actions are motivated by one's own good, and Bentham linked egoism to the pursuit of pleasure and the avoidance of pain.

What is psychological hedonism, and how does it relate to psychological egoism?

Psychological hedonism is a form of psychological egoism that claims self-interest is always tied to the pursuit of pleasure or the avoidance of pain. It suggests that all actions, even seemingly altruistic ones, are motivated by a desire for personal satisfaction.

Can altruistic acts be explained by psychological egoism?

According to psychological egoism, even altruistic acts are driven by self-interest. For example, volunteering at an animal shelter might seem selfless, but a psychological egoist would argue that the volunteer does it to feel good or gain some other form of satisfaction.

What are some arguments against psychological egoism?

Key arguments against psychological egoism include Bishop Joseph Butler’s claim that people sometimes desire things other than their own welfare, David Hume’s argument about innate non-egoistic instincts, and Derek Parfit’s critique of the fallacy of equivocation within the theory.

How does Bishop Joseph Butler's argument challenge psychological egoism?

Butler argues that the pleasure people derive from helping others is often a byproduct of their desire for the welfare of others, not for their own pleasure. This suggests that people can have desires that are not purely self-interested.

What is David Hume’s objection to psychological egoism?

David Hume argues that people have innate, non-egoistic instincts, such as a mother’s instinct to protect her child. He suggests that these instincts cannot be explained by self-interest, particularly when a mother sacrifices her own well-being for her child.

What does Derek Parfit mean by the fallacy of equivocation in psychological egoism?

Parfit claims that psychological egoism uses the word 'want' in two different senses—one meaning 'any state of being motivated' and the other meaning 'desire for pleasure.' He argues that this shift in meaning creates an illogical argument for egoism.

Why is psychological egoism considered to be based on circular logic?

The argument for psychological egoism assumes that people only act in ways that bring them pleasure. This makes the conclusion (that people act out of self-interest) the same as the premise, which creates a circular and logically flawed argument.

Outlines

00:00

💭 Introduction to Psychological Egoism

In this paragraph, the speaker introduces the video, explaining that it will explore the concept of psychological egoism and whether people are always motivated by self-interest, even in seemingly altruistic acts. The video will cover the definition of psychological egoism, evaluate its rationality, and address major objections. The speaker encourages viewers to like, share, and subscribe to help with visibility and to receive notifications for future videos.

05:00

🤔 Defining Psychological Egoism and Its Origins

This section defines psychological egoism as a theory of egoism, which posits that all human actions are motivated by self-interest, even in cases that seem altruistic. Psychological egoism is a descriptive philosophy, explaining how things are rather than prescribing how they should be. Its origins are attributed to philosophers Thomas Hobbes and Jeremy Bentham. Hobbes argued that all voluntary actions, including acts of benevolence, are ultimately self-serving, while Bentham’s psychological hedonism suggests that humans are driven by the pursuit of pleasure and the avoidance of pain.

🧐 Is Psychological Egoism True?

The speaker questions whether psychological egoism accurately describes human behavior, proposing that even seemingly charitable acts are done out of selfish motives, such as seeking reciprocation, respect, or personal satisfaction. Psychological egoism contrasts with psychological altruism, which suggests that some actions are genuinely motivated by the welfare of others. An example is given of someone volunteering at an animal shelter without expecting recognition or personal gain, but the egoist argues that even this act is driven by a desire for self-satisfaction.

📖 Challenges to Psychological Egoism: Butler’s Critique

This paragraph presents the objections to psychological egoism. Bishop Joseph Butler's famous argument against it suggests that people often desire things other than their own welfare. For instance, the pleasure we derive from eating ice cream is a byproduct of a prior desire for the ice cream itself, not for the pleasure. Butler's argument aims to show that people can act based on desires unrelated to self-interest, thereby invalidating psychological egoism.

👩‍👧 Hume’s Rejection and Parental Instincts

Philosopher David Hume's counterargument is presented, where he claims that humans possess innate non-egoistic instincts, such as a mother’s instinct to care for her child. Hume argues that describing a mother’s self-sacrificing care for a sick child as self-interested is incoherent, especially when she grieves upon the child’s death. This instinctual behavior cannot be adequately explained by self-interest alone, providing further evidence against psychological egoism.

🔄 Parfit’s Critique of Equivocation in Psychological Egoism

Derek Parfit’s critique of psychological egoism focuses on the fallacy of equivocation. Parfit argues that the term 'want' is used inconsistently by egoists, leading to flawed reasoning. Egoists claim that when people act voluntarily, they are doing what they want and, therefore, act selfishly. However, Parfit distinguishes between wanting something in a general sense (wide sense) and selfish desires (narrow sense). This equivocation weakens the argument for psychological egoism.

🔁 Circular Reasoning in Psychological Egoism

In this section, the speaker highlights another flaw in psychological egoism: circular reasoning. The theory assumes that if someone derives enjoyment from an action, they must have performed it solely for that enjoyment, which leads to a logical fallacy. The conclusion of this reasoning mirrors its premise, making it an invalid argument. Volunteering, for instance, may bring enjoyment, but that doesn’t mean the action was undertaken for selfish reasons. The speaker concludes by expressing their skepticism of psychological egoism as a coherent explanation of human behavior.

🔔 Conclusion and Call to Action

The speaker wraps up the video by summarizing their personal view that psychological egoism is a flawed and illogical way of understanding human behavior. Viewers are invited to share their thoughts in the comments and ask any questions. The speaker reiterates the request to like, share, and subscribe to the channel, as well as to turn on notifications for future content.

Keywords

💡Psychological Egoism

Psychological egoism is the central concept in the video, defined as the theory that all human actions are motivated by self-interest, even when they appear altruistic. The video discusses this as a descriptive philosophy that claims people are always acting to benefit themselves, even in seemingly charitable acts. For example, when someone volunteers at an animal shelter, a psychological egoist might argue that the person is driven by the desire to feel good or gain respect.

💡Altruism

Altruism is contrasted with psychological egoism in the video and refers to actions taken with the goal of benefiting others without regard for self-interest. Psychological altruism, the opposite of egoism, suggests that some acts can genuinely be motivated by concern for others. The example of a mother caring for a sick child, even at her own expense, is presented as an argument against psychological egoism, demonstrating a selfless motive.

💡Self-Interest

Self-interest is the underlying motivation in psychological egoism, where all actions are believed to be driven by the desire to benefit oneself. In the context of the video, even acts that seem generous or self-sacrificing are explained as ways to satisfy personal desires, such as gaining respect, pleasure, or the avoidance of pain. This is central to the egoist's argument that self-interest governs all human behavior.

💡Thomas Hobbes

Thomas Hobbes is one of the philosophers credited with the formation of psychological egoism. In the video, Hobbes is cited for his claim that no man gives without the intention of good to himself. This highlights Hobbes' view that all voluntary acts, even seemingly altruistic ones, are ultimately motivated by self-interest. His philosophy supports the idea that human actions are always driven by personal benefit.

💡Jeremy Bentham

Jeremy Bentham is another key philosopher mentioned in the video who contributed to the development of psychological egoism, specifically psychological hedonism. Bentham argued that human behavior is governed by the pursuit of pleasure and the avoidance of pain. This concept of psychological hedonism ties into egoism by restricting self-interest to the desire for personal pleasure, further supporting the idea that all actions are self-serving.

💡Psychological Hedonism

Psychological hedonism, as explained in the video, is a form of psychological egoism that asserts that the ultimate motivation for any action is the pursuit of pleasure or the avoidance of pain. Bentham is credited with this view, which narrows self-interest to a specific kind of desire—pleasure. This concept is used to argue that even actions that seem altruistic are driven by the individual's desire to feel good or avoid discomfort.

💡Bishop Joseph Butler

Bishop Joseph Butler presents one of the key objections to psychological egoism in the video. He argues that people sometimes desire things for their own sake, not just for the pleasure they bring. His view challenges the egoist claim by stating that the pleasure one experiences is often a byproduct of achieving something desired, not the goal itself. This argument is used to show that people can have motivations beyond mere self-interest.

💡David Hume

David Hume is referenced in the video for his criticism of psychological egoism. Hume argued that humans have innate instincts, such as a mother's care for her child, that cannot be explained solely by self-interest. His example of a mother who loses her health while caring for her sick child illustrates a selfless act that egoism struggles to explain. This challenges the egoist view that all actions are selfish.

💡Fallacy of Equivocation

The fallacy of equivocation, discussed in the video in relation to Derek Parfit's critique of psychological egoism, refers to the misuse of a word with multiple meanings in an argument. In this case, 'want' is used both in a broad sense (as motivation) and in a narrow sense (as a desire for pleasure). Parfit argues that this logical fallacy undermines the egoist claim that people always act selfishly, as it conflates different types of desires.

💡Circular Logic

Circular logic is a logical fallacy described in the video as a major flaw in the reasoning behind psychological egoism. The video explains that egoism often uses circular arguments, where the conclusion is simply a restatement of the hypothesis. For example, if someone performs a voluntary act and gains enjoyment from it, the egoist might conclude that the act was done solely for enjoyment, which is the same as the initial claim. This reasoning is criticized for being logically invalid.

Highlights

Introduction to psychological egoism and the central question: Are people only motivated by self-interest?

Explanation of the distinction between descriptive and normative philosophies, with psychological egoism being descriptive.

The origins of psychological egoism, with key contributions from philosophers Thomas Hobbes and Jeremy Bentham.

Hobbes' quote from Leviathan: 'No man giveth, but with intention of good to himself.'

Bentham's principle of psychological hedonism, where self-interest is tied to the pursuit of pleasure or avoidance of pain.

Psychological egoism claims that even seemingly altruistic acts are motivated by self-interest, such as the expectation of reciprocation or gaining respect.

Contrast between psychological egoism and psychological altruism, which asserts that some actions are genuinely motivated by altruistic desires.

Example of volunteering at an animal rescue shelter, which psychological egoism argues is still driven by a desire to feel good.

Bishop Joseph Butler's objection to psychological egoism, claiming that desires for things other than self-interest can lead to personal welfare.

David Hume's argument that certain instincts, like a mother's protective instinct, are non-egoistic and contradict psychological egoism.

Hume's example of a grieving mother who dies after caring for a sick child, showing that her actions cannot be seen as self-interested.

Derek Parfit's critique of psychological egoism, accusing it of the fallacy of equivocation in its use of the word 'want'.

Parfit's distinction between 'want' in the wide sense (any motivation) and 'want' in the narrow sense (desires for personal gain or pleasure).

The circular logic argument against psychological egoism, stating that assuming an act is selfish because it was performed willingly is a logical fallacy.

Final evaluation of psychological egoism as a simplistic and flawed theory for explaining human behavior.

Transcripts

hey ben here and today's video will

answer the question can i discuss what

psychological egoism

is and are people only motivated by

self-interest even in the case of

seemingly altruistic acts

so as usual i'll go over the definition

and explain what psychological egoism is

then i'll discuss if the philosophy is

rational or not and include what some of

the major objections against it are

after watching this video you thought it

was helpful at any point please consider

liking it and sharing it with others as

this helps my channel get seen in the

algorithm better

and feel free to subscribe for more

videos like it using the link in the

description and turn on the notification

bell

to receive updates when new videos are

out so psychological egoism is a theory

of egoism

egoism being a philosophy concerned with

the self's role or

ego as the motivation and goal for one's

own action

specifically psychological ecoism

believes that people are always

motivated by self-interest

even in what seems to be acts of

altruism this is a descriptive

philosophy meaning that it only claims

how things

are not how they ought to be as opposed

to a normative philosophy which is about

how things

should be now the formation of the

philosophy is credited to thomas hobbs

and jeremy bentham

hobbs writes in his famous book

leviathan no man giveth

but with intention of good to himself

because gift is voluntary

and all of voluntary acts the object is

to every man his own good

of which if men see they shall be

frustrated there will be no beginning of

benevolence or trust

nor consequently of mutual help and

bentham wrote in his introduction to the

principles of morals and legislation

nature has placed mankind under the

governance of two sovereign masters

pain and pleasure it is for them alone

to point out what we ought to do

as well as to determine what we shall do

on one hand

the standard of right and wrong on the

other the chain of causes and effects

here fastened to their throne and here

bentham argues for a type of

psychological egoism

called psychological hedonism which

restricts the kind of self-interest we

can ultimately desire to pleasure or the

avoidance of pain

now suppose psychological egoism is a

true description of reality

in that case every act we take in life

is out of selfishness

and self-interest no matter how

charitable the act seems to be

every act that seems selfless is really

done for reasons like the expectation of

reciprocation desire to gain respect

the desire for reward or some other

satisfaction like feeling like a good

person

psychological egoism is contrasted with

psychological altruism

which says that some acts we can have

are ultimately

for altruistic motives for example

someone may argue that volunteering to

work for an animal rescue shelter

without pay

uh the ability without the ability to

adopt an animal or any sort of

recognition

is a pretty selfless act but the

psychological egoist will claim that

this is actually a selfish act because

it's fulfilling a desire to feel good

from acting altruistically

egoists aren't narcissists who only care

about themselves

it includes people who may dedicate

their lives for what seems to be purely

altruistic acts

now hobbes and bentham don't offer a ton

of proof for psychological egoism

and there are little in the way of

scientific studies fully confirming this

however some people buy into the concept

because it offers a simplistic and

seemingly logical explanation

for something complicated human behavior

einstein spoke about how the best

theories and descriptions of reality

should offer a clear

explanation of being as simple as

possible so does it exist

what are the arguments against it one of

the most famous arguments against

psychological egoism

comes from bishop joseph butler stating

that psychological egoism

is false because one must desire things

other than one's own welfare

in order to get welfare basically the

experience of pleasure

we get upon attaining something

presupposes a desire for the

thing attained not for the pleasure

itself the pleasure we get from eating

ice cream is often a byproduct of a

prior desire for the thing that gave us

pleasure

butler's argument can be simplified into

the following steps number one sometimes

people benefit from helping

others number two sometimes such benefit

presupposes a desire for what it gener

for what generated it not for the

resulting benefit

number three so sometimes people desire

things other than self-interest

therefore psychological egoism is false

also the philosopher david hume argued

that people have certain innate

non-egoist

instincts like the instinct of a mother

to protect and care for a child

hume wrote what interest can a fond

mother have in view

who loses her health by assidious

attendance on her sick child and

afterwards

languishes and dies of grief when freed

by its death

from the slavery of that attendance it

seems incoherent to describe such a

mother's goal as self-interested

especially when she dies in grief

another argument comes from philosopher

derek parfit who wrote about how

psychological egoism suffers from the

fallacy of equivocation

in his book on what matters equivocation

calling two things by the same name

is an informal fallacy resulting from

the use of a particular word or

expression

in multiple senses within an argument in

this case the word

want is being used illogically so

psychological egoist state

whenever people act voluntarily they are

doing what they want to do

doing what we want is selfish so

everyone acts selfishly

parfit writes that psychological egoism

fails because it uses the word

want first in the wide sense and then

later in a narrow sense

wider sense meaning any state of being

motivated while a narrow sense refers to

desires like wanting pleasure

if you gave up your time to help

homeless animals your act would not be

selfish

though you would be doing what you want

in the wide sense

and perhaps the best argument against it

is that the theory is based in

circular logic the position put forth by

william hackslick and thomas mccauley

take the statement if a person willingly

performs an act that means he derives

personal enjoyment from it

therefore people only perform acts that

give them personal enjoyment

the conclusion of this statement is the

same as its hypothesis

making it a fallacy if you willingly

volunteered an animal clinic that means

you got pleasure from it according to

egoism

therefore you only volunteered animal

clinics to get enjoyment from it

overall i think psychological egoism is

a poor and frankly a logical way of

describing human behavior

but what do you think let me know in the

comments below and let me know any uh

questions you want answered

and if you thought this video was

helpful at any point again please

consider

uh consider liking it and sharing it

with others as this helps my channel get

seen in the uh youtube algorithm and

feel free to subscribe for more videos

like it using the link in the

description

and turn on the notification bell to

receive updates when new videos are

out thanks for watching and i'll see you

again