Psychological egoism is a controversial philosophical concept that is founded on the belief that people always pursue their self interest. In straightforward terms, psychological egoism is based on the presumption that an individual will always engage in an activity with the aim of gaining, either directly or indirectly. According to the proponents of psychological egoism, even when a person offers to help a person in need, they have an intention of gaining, either directly or indirectly. Ethical egoism, on the other hand, is based on the belief that not all people seek to prioritize self interest, but all people ought to do so. As can be noted, the difference between the two is the fact that the former is the reflection of reality, and the latter is the normative presumption.
In the second part of Plato’s The Republic, Glaucon is introduced as a philosopher that is concerned with the concept of justice. His arguments are a reflection of psychological hedonism, a common variety of psychological egoism. Psychological hedonism is founded on the belief that “human beings seek to maximize pleasure and minimize pain” (Plato 33). Ethical egoism is not in line with Glaucon’s arguments because in seeking to explain justice, Glaucon says that there is absolutely no point in preventing people from engaging in injustice, if at all they can get away with it. In illustrating how his arguments support psychological egoism, Glaucon tells the story of a just man who finds magical item that can make him invisible. Knowing that his actions are inconsequential, he engages in injustices. Further, Glaucon argues that being unjust makes one powerful to the extent that he can buy the just title. Clearly therefore, Glaucon’s argument upholds psychological egoism which focuses on outcomes.
It is debatable, whether or not psychological egoism implies ethical egoism. In point of fact, psychological egoism is closely related to ethical egoism because ethical egoism recognizes the paramount status of psychological egoism. Ethical egoism is founded on psychological egoism because, essentially, ethical egoism argues that, even if not all people observe psychological egoism, all people ought to do so. In simple terms, ethical egoism is psychological egoism limited by consequences, morals and expectations of the social contract.
Works cited
Plato, , G R. F. Ferrari, and Tom Griffith. The Republic. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2000. Print
