CMPReader

Contemporary Moral ProblemsReaderBYFrida Shane V. Felisco

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Book: Contemporary Moral Problems 7

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Edition - Chapter 1: James Rachels - Egoism andMoral ScepticismLibrary Reference: N/AAmazon.com Reference: http://www.amazon.com/Contemporary-Moral-Problems-James-White/dp/0495553204/ Quote:“But this is because the questioner has included in his question the very answer wewould like to give: “Why shouldn’t you do actions that will harm others? Because, doing thoseactions would harm others.”” by James Rachels.What I expect to learn:I look forward to the discussion of psychological egoism and ethical egoism. I amintrigued of self-interest and selfishness topic. I want to know to what extent an action willprove that one is selfish or not.Chapter Review:To start, there are arguments in this chapter that I find very informative since eachhas strong points to argue. With this, I find myself in agree in all of them – I cannot decidewhich side to take on. Generally, I enjoy reading this chapter. The topics are just interestingenough – selfish, self-interest, and motives. I guess I am curious about these topics becausethey are not usually discussed thoroughly. The situation examples are very helpful to thereader to understand more the concepts being discussed.Anyway, the definition of psychological and ethical egoism is quite confusing at first.But, if one will try to really understand it, it is worth the information. Moving on, the storyabout the ring and how Rachels come up with a follow-up question about it is nice indeed – the rogue and the man of virtue case.I really like the stand of this, quoting Rachels, “What reason is there for him to continue being“moral” when it is clearly not to his own advantage to do so?” Although, the question is in anegative form, the kind of thinking in raising that question is I think amazing.This chapter has really focused their topic on how good or bad self-interest is and if it hassomething else to do with being selfish. The first argument, quoting Rachels, “people nevervoluntarily do anything except what they want to do” is true for me. However, there areinstance wherein one must do an act because the situation asks for it, this can be the meanto an end that is mentioned in this chapter.Looking at the second argument involving unselfishness producing self-satisfaction isshocking to read. It seems like any type of satisfaction whether it originates from good or badis still bad. Satisfaction brings maliciousness.

I want to share the concept of ‘object of a want’, quoting Rachels, “I am acting on mywants does not mean that I am acting selfishly; that depends on what it is that I want.” I cansay that this is acceptable; the basis of selfishness can be measured to the very thing thatone wants. This could also refer to the hidden motives of a person. Motives can be selfish.With regards to the three confusions, this part clears up the argument Rachels stated at thefirst page of this chapter. In here, he disapprove of psychological egoism, also, hedifferentiate a selfish behavior from self-interest. As for my opinion, I think that self-interestcan either be good and bad, while selfishness only exhibits the bad.The concept of ethical egoist is a bit weird yet wise because the egoist will do the opposite ofwhat he/she wants so that other people will do what he/she really intends to do. The egoistcontradicts himself to achieve his/her goal. In connection with this, is the question-answer ofRachels, I actually find this question-answer funny and non-sense yet straight to the point orpractical. It works in a way that once one is asked of a question, the answer one should saymust be the same question itself only that it is translated to an answer form.What I learned:I learned about the different views about selfishness and self-interest has. I learnedthe idea of psychological egoism and ethical egoism. The same thing I am introduced togenuine egoist. Lastly, I learned about the reasons we need to consider when judging an act,if it falls into selfishness already,Integrative Questions:1. What is the difference between psychological egoism and ethical egoism?2. What pleasant state of consciousness do unselfish actions produce as mentioned in thesecond argument?3. According to the article, what determines whether it is selfish or not?4. Why does ethical egoism cannot be universalized? State the argument.5. What kind of people are genuine egoists?Review Questions:1. Explain the legend of Gyges. What questions about morality are raised by the story?The legend of Gyges is about a shepherd who has found a magic ring. The magic ringonce worn by someone can make that someone invisible, which means, he or she can doanything that pleases him without being seen. And so Gyges having that ring in his fingerwent to the Royal Palace. He seduced the queen, kill the king, and become the new king.The question in the story is what a man of virtue and a bad guy would do with the magicring. Would the man of virtue take advantage of the power of the magic ring and dowrong deeds like the bad guy. The answer according the article is yes – the man of virtueand the bad guy will choose to do the wrong acts; after all, no one can see them – no oneis there to witness the mischief or whatsoever bad deeds. Quoting White and Rachels,“What reason is there for him to continue being “moral” when it is clearly not to his ownadvantage to do so?”