PHILOS 2YY3 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Ethical Egoism, Psychological Egoism, Egotism
1 Nov 2017
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Egoism: psychological egoism: we always act in our own self-interest, ethical egoism: each person ought to pursue her self-interest exclusively. Hobbes as a psychological egoist: some passages do support this, many scholars argue: Hobbes and human nature: equal in ability and vulnerability, out ends are principally self-preservation and enjoyment, limited altruism, practical rationality. State of nature: right to all things , compete over scarce resources, cooperation impossible, no security. Challenge others to preserve self: glory. Act in a way to appear strong and invulnerable, more secure. State of war: life is solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short , nothing is unjust. Laws of nature: recognize general rules. Sovereign authority and commonwealth: contract/covenant to obey common authority, coercive power needed to compel performance and act as arbitrator. Leviathan: sovereign to whom we submit our will, authority given by everyone in commonwealth, limit is self-defence.
