Ethical egoism

Ethical egoism
the normative ethical position that moral agents ought to do what is in their own self-interest. It is distinguished from psychological egoism and rational egoism. It contrasts with ethical altruism, which holds that moral agents have an ethical obligation to help or serve others. Ethical egoism does not, however, require moral agents to disregard the well-being of others, nor does it require that a moral agent refrains from considering the well-being of others in moral deliberation. What is in an agent's self-interest may be incidentally detrimental to, beneficial to, or neutral in its effect on others. It allows for the possibility of either as long as what is chosen is efficacious in satisfying self-interest of the agent. Ethical egoism is sometimes used to support libertarianism or anarchism, political positions based partly on a belief that individuals should not coercively prevent others from exercising freedom of action.

Mini philosophy glossary . 2014.

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  • Ethical egoism — is the normative ethical position that moral agents ought to do what is in their self interest. It differs from psychological egoism, in that psychological egoism is the claim that people can only act in their self interest, while ethical egoism… …   Wikipedia

  • ethical egoism — noun see egoism …   Useful english dictionary

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  • Egoism — may refer to any of the following:* psychological egoism, the doctrine that holds that individuals are always motivated by self interest * ethical egoism, the doctrine that holds that individuals ought to do what is in their self interest *… …   Wikipedia

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  • egoism — /ee goh iz euhm, eg oh /, n. 1. the habit of valuing everything only in reference to one s personal interest; selfishness (opposed to altruism). 2. egotism or conceit. 3. Ethics. the view that morality ultimately rests on self interest. [1775 85; …   Universalium

  • Egoism — • Synopsis of this ethical system, and short refutation Catholic Encyclopedia. Kevin Knight. 2006. Egoism     Egoism     † …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • egoism — ► NOUN 1) an ethical theory that treats self interest as the foundation of morality. 2) another term for EGOTISM(Cf. ↑egotistical). DERIVATIVES egoist noun egoistic adjective egoistical adjective …   English terms dictionary

  • egoism — ego·ism ē gə .wiz əmalso eg ə n 1 a) a doctrine that individual self interest is the actual motive of all conscious action b) a doctrine that individual self interest is the valid end of all actions 2) excessive concern for oneself without… …   Medical dictionary

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