Ethical egoism

Ethical egoism is the view that one should / could do what was best for himself a.

General

Ethical egoism can be formulated in a strong or a weak form: The strong formulation is that it is ethically obligatory to maximize utility, the weak formulation, it is ethically permissible to maximize its benefits. If one disregards Friedrich Nietzsche, the strong form is largely into disuse. One reason is the performative contradiction, that the one who ethical egoism represents in its strong form, the other had to guess at the meaning of the categorical imperative to follow the same maxim. With this advice but he in turn harms its ability to enforce its maximum interests.

The weak form of ethical egoism is the basis of contract theory. Also in business ethics ethical egoism plays a role. Economic rationality is often understood as a pure means-end rationality, following the economic principle that you want to achieve with existing means maximum benefit or realize a certain goal with minimal effort. Focusing on a purely instrumental rationality leads to ethical egoism, the other value levels ( community, solidarity, freedom and justice ) and target systems hides ( meaning of life, peace, religion).

This is supported by the Neoclassical theory, which indicates that arises under various assumptions, including the behavior of human beings as homo economicus, a welfare maximum. Homo economicus itself, however, is not a pure egoist in this model. Even altruistic behavior ( eg, gifts ) donate satisfaction and thus a benefit. Homo economicus is therefore act altruistically as long as long as its marginal utility of altruistic behavior is lower than its marginal cost. In addition, he will also take into account the interests of others, but only if it is a matter of a possible benefit promises - either immediately or in the long run. The limit of his behavior therefore is not between egoism and altruism but between mutual or one-sided only betterment.

Individual representatives of ethical egoism

An early advocate of ethical egoism was Max Stirner, who proves in his major work The Ego and Its Own as Nietzsche and Freud anticipatory deep psychological thinker whose selfishness notion of the ( re-interpreted as a human image ) Homo economicus discards than just superficial. Veritable egoistic self-interest could therefore pursue only those who are introjected from the in the course of his enculturation and has internalized standards ( Freud's superego ) exempt.

Stirner's biographer John Henry Mackay represented in 1900 a modified, to their psychological content reduced version of Stirner's doctrine, founded by Benjamin Tucker individualist anarchism ( "Equal freedom for all ").

A newer version of ethical egoism represented the mid-20th century, Ayn Rand, who settled out of Stirner and Mackay and worked primarily in the United States. Ayn Rand sees in her objectivist philosophy to the use of reason as a prerequisite truly selfish action and defines clear moral principles that should guide selfish act.

Another prominent author, who is often referred to as a representative of ethical egoism, was the Marquis de Sade, although the imaginary characters he often crossed the border into amorality. A corresponding example of the selfishness in de Sade is the world view of the bandit captain's " Valiant " which occurs repeatedly in his major work, Justine.