What is the Difference Between Psychological Egoism and Ethical Egoism

The main difference between psychological egoism and ethical egoism is that psychological egoism emphasizes the fact that people act primarily out of self-interest while ethical egoism emphasizes the fact that people should act for their self-interest.

At initial thought, egoism refers to pride, selfishness and having high self-worth. However, with regard to psychological egoism and ethical egoism, these definitions take on different facets.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Psychological Egoism 
     – Definition, Focus, Motivation
2. What is Ethical Egoism
     – Definition, Focus, Motivation
3. What are the Similarities Between Psychological Egoism and Ethical Egoism
     – Outline of Common Features
4. What is the Difference Between Psychological Egoism and Ethical Egoism
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Egoism, Psychological Egoism, Ethical Egoism, Psychology, Philosophy

What is Psychological Egoism

Psychological egoism refers to the concept stating that a person’s self-interest always motivates his/her actions. In other words, it explains that everybody is ultimately motivated solely by his/her self-interest. Hence, it explains the reason for most human behaviour.

Thus, psychological egoism does not explain the morality of these actions, i.e., good or bad, it only observes the reason behind those actions. It merely observes that actions of everyone are influenced by selfishness or self-interest.

Psychological egoism is identified as a descriptive theory; it is based on observations and following conclusions. Two pioneering philosophers who endorsed this theory are Thomas Hobbes and Friedrich Nietzsche.

Figure 1: Friedrich Nietzsche

According to psychological egoism, self-interest/ selfishness is the motive behind every action, even on the altruistic actions of humans. Similarly, it does not claim how one should act but describes why one acts. 

What is Ethical Egoism

Ethical egoism refers to the concept that every human should be/ ought to be motivated by their self-interest. Hence, unlike psychological egoism, ethical egoism does not describe that people’s actions are motivated by self-interest, rather it claims that people should act primarily out of self-interest or should seek self-welfare. Thereby, it recommends how people should behave ethically, seeking only self-interest.

Ethical egoism proposes that only those actions having consequences benefitting the person should be considered as ethical. Hence, ethical egoism rejects altruism. Moreover, it is a normative or a prescriptive theory.

Unlike psychological egoism, ethical egoism does not observe the universal motive of human actions as self-interest; therefore, it only recommends self-interest to be the ultimate motive for human actions. Such actions are identified as ethical, worthy and good under ethical egoism.

Figure 2: Henry Sidgwick

Hence, an egoist always practices ethical egoism. Some philosophers who brought forward the theory of ethical egoism are Henry Sidgwick, and, Ayn Rand.

Similarities Between Psychological Egoism and Ethical Egoism

• Both psychological egoism and ethical egoism explain the reason for human actions.
• However, both theories have opposing ideas.

Difference Between Psychological Egoism and Ethical Egoism

Definition

Psychological egoism refers to the concept that self-interest motivates all human actions while ethical egoism refers to the concept that all people should/ought to be motivated by self-interest for their actions. Thus, this is the main difference between psychological egoism and ethical egoism.

Type

Moreover, psychological egoism is a descriptive theory whereas ethical egoism is a normative or prescriptive theory.

Motivation

In psychological egoism, everybody is ultimately motivated solely by his/her self-interest. On the other hand, ethical egoism prescribes selfishness or self-interest to be the ultimate motivation for individual actions. Hence, this is another difference between psychological egoism and ethical egoism.

Action

One other difference between psychological egoism and ethical egoism is that the psychological egoism describes the reason for human behaviour and actions while ethical egoism recommends how human behaviour or actions should be.

Pioneering Personalities

Thomas Hobbes and Friedrich Nietzsche are two philosophers who brought forward this theory of psychological egoism whereas Henry Sidgwick and Ayn Rand are two philosophers who brought forward this theory of psychological egoism.

Conclusion

Both psychological and ethical egoism describes how self-interest influences human actions. The main difference between psychological egoism and ethical egoism is that the psychological egoism emphasizes the fact that people act primarily out of self-interest while ethical egoism emphasizes the fact that people should act for their self-interest. Thus, psychological egoism is a descriptive theory whereas ethical egoism is a prescriptive theory.

Reference:

1. “Psychological Egoism”, Philosophy.lander.edu, Available here. 
2. “Ethical Egoism.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 8 Jan. 2019, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “150143” (Public Domain) via Pxhere
2. “Portrait of Friedrich Nietzsche” By Unknown – featured on the cover of “What Nietzsche Really Said” by Robert C. Solomon, Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
3. “1368911” (Pixbay License) via Pixabay
4. “PSM V56 D0028 Henry Sidgwick” By Unknown – Popular Science Monthly Volume 56 (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia