Egoism And Moral Skepticism Analysis

Wanting to be successful, is it selfish or unselfish?

Most people agree with the quote “sometimes you have to do what’s best for you

and your life, not what’s best for everyone else.” Are all of these people selfish and

self-centered? This questionable attitude is an example of psychological egoism. The

opinion that all men are selfish in everything, that they do, and that the only motive from

which someone ever acts is in self-interest is described as psychological egoism.

The writer of Egoism and Moral Skepticism, James Rachel, states an interesting

argument that shows comparison to a selfish or unselfish person’s actions. A young man

chooses to pursue a college education so he can be the first in his family to graduate

college. In his sophomore year of college,

According to Rachel’s article, the choice the young man made some people

would view as selfish. However, had he chosen to take care of his grandmother, he would

be viewed as unselfish. Rachel argues that whichever choice was made could it not be

viewed as he’s doing exactly what he wants to do.

However, what if the young man felt obligated to finish school? According to the

article, viewing the action in this way proves psychological egoism is false. This view

states that people do or complete actions not because they want to, but because they

have to. So in the case of the young man, he probably feels a commitment to finish

college due to the desire to create a legacy for his family, the drive to make his

grandmother proud, and the financial obligation to finish his education. One would say

the young man's intentions are in the right place. He just wants to better himself so that

his family’s life is better. Should he be considered selfish because he strives on being

successful so his family can as well?

In the previous article Rachel develops a second argument: that the ultimate

goal is to achieve a pleasant state of consciousness instead of bringing out any good