Chapter 3: Egoism

1. Chapter 3: Egoism • Are people basically selfish or unselfish? • Egoism – two kinds - Descriptive (psychological) - Normative (ethical) • Psychological Egoism - People are basically selfish - People act in their own interest

2. Chapter 3 continued • Ethical Egoism - What we ought to do – how we ought to act - Individual ethical egoism - Universal ethical egotism

3. Chapter 3 continued • Evaluating Ethical Egoism - Its grounding in psychological egoism - Its consistency or coherence - Its derivation from economic theory - Its conformity to commonsense moral views

4. Chapter 3 continued • The Moral Point of View • Does one have to take a particular point of view to see things morally • An example of moral education by W. D. Falk • Why be moral? • An individual choice • Self interested reasons to be moral • The sacrifice for morality

5. Chapter 3 continued • Reading: The Ring of Gyges • The nature and origin of justice • The example of Gyges’ Ring • The judgment of the lives of the just and unjust • Adeimantus presents his views • Are Glaucon and Adeimantus correct?

6. Chapter 3 continued • Reading: Self-Love • Two types of bodily motion • - Vital • - Voluntary • Key words • Appetite (desire) • Aversion • Love and hate • Contempt

7. Chapter 3 continued • Reading: Self-Love • The three causes of quarrel 1. Competition 2. Diffidence 3. Glory • War and peace

8. Chapter 3 continued • Reading: Upon the Social Nature of Man • The natural principle of benevolence in man • Several passions and affections lead to public and private good • The reflections of man affects his decisions