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1-Egoism and Moral Scepticism

Page history last edited by mike hernandez 15 years, 1 month ago

Contemporary Moral Problems

Book Review Chapter 1: Ethical Theories:

James Rachels: Egoism and Moral Skepticism

Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Contemporary-Moral-Problems-James-White/dp/0534584306/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1233793391&sr=8-1

Quote:

Review:

this book talks about how one individual's mind works, it shows how ones interest work they are just focused on things they love, they do not care about the things happening around them, this chapter shows how the ego of an individual work and because of that ego, it takes conroll of a person's capability to contibute to society properlly it takes away the functionallity of an individual in society, people are not always the same or the people you think that they are, you may never know what is going on in their minds. for them they do not have an obligation on anything but only to their interest, to only things that will benefit them.

What i have learned:

i have learned that because of the thought of egoism there can be different interpretations on how a human being can unction can contribute in society, their only focus is themselves, what will do them good,not caring about other people with their actions.

Integrative quesions:

What is the divine command theory?

What is cultural relativism?

What is the theory of good?

What is perfect duty?

What is virtue theory?

1. Explain the legend of Gyges. What questions about morality are raised from the story?

 "Gyges of Lydia was a shepherd in the service of King Canduales of Lydia. After an earthquake, a cave was revealed in a mountainside where Gyges was feeding his flock. Entering the cave, Gyges discovered that it was in fact a tomb with a bronze horse containing a corpse, larger than that of a man, who wore a goldenring, which Gyges pocketed. He discovered that the ring gave him the power to become invisible by adjusting it. Gyges then arranged to be chosen as one of the messengers who reported to the king as to the status of the flocks. Arriving at the palace, Gyges used his new power of invisibility to seduce the queen, and with her help he murdered the king, and became king of Lydia himself. King Croesus, famous for his wealth, was Gyges' descendant."-wikipedia.com

 

2. Distinguish between psychological and ethical egoism.

pscological egoism is being selfish towards the things a person have or a

person is doing while ethical egoism is being only interested in things a person love or wants.

3. Rachels discusses two arguments for psychological egoism. What are these arguments, and how does he reply to them?

4. What three commonplace confusions does Rachels detect in the thesis of psychological egoism?

confusion of selfishness with self interest

confusion of the assumption that every action is done either from self-interest or from other-regarding motives 

confusion is the common but false asssumption that a concern for ones's own welfare is incompatible with any genuine concern for the welfare of others.

 

5. State the argument for saying that ethical egoism is inconsistent. Why does Rachels accept the argument?

Egoism is inconsistent because there is not a uniform thing, meaning that it does not apply to all human beings, there are still people who do not agree with egoism. Rachels does not agree with the argument because Rachels can prove that egoism is inconsistent.  

6. According to Rachels, why shouldn’t we hurt others, and why we should help others? How can egoist reply?

we should not hurt others because it will not do us good and in the first place we will not benefit from hurting otheer people we usually do things that we know we will benefit from it.

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