The Question of Selfless Conduct

1. The Question of Selfless Conduct Hsun-tzu Human Nature: we are either inherently good (Mencius) or inherently evil (Hsun-tzu); environmental influences divert us from our true natures • Psychological egoism: all actions are aimed at promoting one’s own self-interest • even in pity and charity, we think of ourselves in another’s situation Mencius Hobbes

2. Altruism and Self-Interest Joseph Butler • Concern for others (benevolence) is not incompatible with self-love, because we can be happy in achieving our aims (which might include helping others) • To avoid concluding that egoism is not falsifiable, sociobiology argues that altruism can be seen in how it promotes group survival Edward O. Wilson

3. Reason and Moral Judgments Hume • A factual inclination toward self-interest does not imply that we ought to promote it • Judgments of moral approval/disapproval are based on feeling or sentiment, not reason • Searle’s Reply: obligations are institutional • Emotivism/Prescriptivism: moral claims are not true/false; they merely express feelings or recommendations A. J. Ayer • Kurt Baier: morality is not based on emotions but on determining the best reasons for acting