Explaining Kant’s Principle and Approach

Book Discussion #2 Ideas (may select 1 or more to respond to) submit to Discussion Drop Box by 3/1 at 11:59 pm:

1. Write on contrasting Kant’s approach to ethics with consequentialism. Which do you think is better, and why?
2. Explain Kant’s principle of universalisability and the principle of humanity. Do they ever give conflicting advice? If so, which do you think is a better guide to our moral obligations?
3. Kant claims that humans have a special kind of value not possessed by anything else on earth. How does he justify this claim? What are the implications of this view regarding the moral status of non-human animals? Do you find this view plausible?
4. What gives actions moral worth, according to Kant? Compare Kant’s view on this subject with the view of the utilitarian. Which view do you think is preferable, and why?

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Book Discussion Example

Ethical egoism fosters an environment of competition and promotes lack of selflessness. Because self-interest differs from person to person, competition to fulfil personal self-interest becomes acceptable. For example, many people who have careers in the trade of business view personal gratification and fulfilment as essential to success.

Pursuing one’s self interest demands that individual desires are elevated above another’s. Ethical egoism does not allow consideration for another person’s needs or permit aiding someone to reach their personal goals (Debelijak & Krkac, 2008).

This philosophy fundamentally alters how society and individuals uphold or value standards of morality. If one’s goal in life is to seek personal satisfaction, then it is morally justified via ethical egoism. However, there are serious ramifications to this self-seeking ethical philosophy.

Ethical egoism advocates individual preservation above the common welfare of society. If one’s desire is to steal believing he is justified because his own self-interest is being fulfilled, then he commits the crime with the belief that he is morally justified in doing so.

An action is moral so long as self-interest is the only goal being achieved. Individual interests and social welfare are often in conflict due to the reality that self-interest does not permit self-sacrifice. Ethical egoism mandates that social welfare is not a priority, not even a consideration when contemplating how best to pursue one’s self-interest (Olson, 1961). This corrupt pattern of thinking creates a fixation on individual preservation rather than universal prosperity.

Therefore, the only one benefiting from ethical egoism is a single individual. Everyone’s needs are not met nor are they considered important. It is a human being’s tendency to value or pursue self-interest at the cost of common welfare and prosperity.

Individualism states that the interests or desires of an individual are regarded as supreme. Individualism is often associated with the ethical egoism because an individual’s desires are considered paramount above the collective society. As a result, the individual relates to society or their community based upon what said community can offer them as an individual.

There exists no internal motive to assist another individual in pursing their desires or achieving their goals. Ethical egoism is self-centred by nature which causes a disconnect and lack of care for another’s prosperity (Gantt & Burton, 2013).

I believe that the only benefit to pursuing self-interest is temporary fulfilment of a particular desire. A society or community cannot benefit from each individual seeking self-satisfaction.

This self-centred philosophy ultimately leads to competition and misplaced animosity between people. It would be impossible to encourage, uplift, or connect with others if we are viewing each other as obstacles or hindrances to our selfish desires. I find ethical egoism to personify the selfish, depraved nature characteristic of human beings.

If self-interest is the idol to be worshipped, then other people will suffer the consequences of such narrow-minded thinking. I believe that many people benefit when we put aside our self-interest to acknowledge and consider another person’s needs above our own.

Works Cited:

Debelijak, J. & Krkac, K. (2008). “Me, myself & I”: Practical egoism, selfishness, self-interest and business ethics. Social Responsibility Journal, 4(1/2), 217-227.

Gantt, E. E., & Burton, J. (2013). Egoism, altruism, and the ethical foundations of personhood. Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 53(4), 438-460.

Olson, R.G. (1961). Ethical egoism and social welfare. Philosophy and Phenomenological Research, 21(4), 528-536.

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