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.