One major criticism of ethical egoism is the near-impossibility for the egoist t

Question

One major criticism of ethical egoism is the near-impossibility for the egoist to maintain deep friendships, since what I do to benefit others can easily lead to subsequent benefits for myself. This raises the question, What really motivates me? Let's try something lighter this week in an effort to clarify the strengths and weaknesses of ethical egoism. Consider this scenario: An unpopular high school student agrees to protect the reputation of friends by conning the student body. But as a result of her willingness to help others, she unintentionally advances her own social and financial standing Click the link below to watch the promo for the Emma Stone movie Easy A and then draw on the Hinman material to discuss how the clip demonstrates problematic features of ethical egoism. Use the film clip as a starting point, but focus the bulk of your discussion on the underlying claims, and criticisms, of the theory. At the end of the day, do you support or oppose ethical egoism?

Explanation / Answer

Benefitting others is a quality of promoting one's own good. It is always moral to maintain one's own good. Hence , this motivates an individual.

Problematic features of Ethical egoism :

a) It does not offer any sort/kind of resolving the trouble.

b) There is no definite or a guranteed way of happiness, that a person can expect out of ethical egoism.

c) It is subjective in nature .

d) It is unfalsifiable as well. (i.e . it can be contradicted)

e) False dichotomy is present. ( i.e. people do not act according to their own wishes)

I do support ethical egoism . It is so because , as it helps to promote one's own good in a moral way. Acting in a moral way , is a good behaviour and must be encouraged.

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