We should not always do what is in our best interest. Acting exclusively in one's own self-interest would require an assumption that one person is more deserving than another. And on what basis is this assumption justified? There is no justification for treating someone differently than others, simply for your own self-gain. Ethical egoism implies that your needs are more important than others yet provides no moral justification for this assumption. Ethical egoism leaves no room in moral theory for the inclusion of some acknowledgment of the needs of others. It would be impossible for society to function without the acknowledgment of others needs. If we acted only to pursue our self-interests resources would be greatly manipulated and taken away from others. The cutthroat competition created by ethical egoism would create serious problems such as lack of security and unfair and unequal resource access, two things that are necessary in a functioning society.
Acting in one's self......
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Approximate Word Count: 370
Approximate Pages: 2 (260 words per double-spaced page) |