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    ナガサキ ライゼン
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    The document discusses the philosophies of egoism and altruism. Egoism is defined as prioritizing self-interest and one's own welfare, while altruism is defined as prioritizing the interests and welfare of others above one's own. These philosophies seem to contradict each other. However, the document argues that in reality most human behavior involves a balance between egoism and altruism, depending on the situation and individual. An example is provided of two people lost in a desert to illustrate different levels of egoism and altruism.

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    Egoism vs Altruism

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    The document discusses the philosophies of egoism and altruism. Egoism is defined as prioritizing self-interest and one's own welfare, while altruism is defined as prioritizing the interests and welfare of others above one's own. These philosophies seem to contradict each other. However, the document argues that in reality most human behavior involves a balance between egoism and altruism, depending on the situation and individual. An example is provided of two people lost in a desert to illustrate different levels of egoism and altruism.

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    155 views2 pages

    Egoism and Altruism

    Uploaded by

    ナガサキ ライゼン
    The document discusses the philosophies of egoism and altruism. Egoism is defined as prioritizing self-interest and one's own welfare, while altruism is defined as prioritizing the interests and welfare of others above one's own. These philosophies seem to contradict each other. However, the document argues that in reality most human behavior involves a balance between egoism and altruism, depending on the situation and individual. An example is provided of two people lost in a desert to illustrate different levels of egoism and altruism.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Flag for inappropriate content
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    of 2

    Egoism and Altruism

    Egoism
    -

    A doctrine holding self-interest to be the motive or the valid end of


    action.
    Excessive concern for oneself with or without exaggerated feelings
    of self-importance.
    The drive to maintain and enhance favorable views of oneself, and generally features an
    inflated opinion of one's personal features and importance.

    Altruism
    -

    The principle or practice of concern for the welfare of others.


    Doing an act out of pure selflessness with no apparent benefit or
    underlying cause for yourself.
    Is an aspect of moral philosophy in which it is argued that moral
    decisions should be based upon the interests or well-being of others
    rather than on self-interest.

    Egoism vs. Altruism


    As defined above, Egoism and Altruism contradicts each. Where one is about
    self-interest, the other one is about selfless concern for others. Both
    philosophies/theories have their own weaknesses and strength which affects our
    daily lives not only as an individual but as a community.
    As a social beings, since the ancient times people rely on each other. Humans
    realize that without each other they are nothing, a one-on-one against any
    carnivorous wild beast would leave them killed. In other to survive, people helped
    each other and band together to form communities which would protect them from
    potential harm thus Altruism is created. Altruism helped the human race to be
    successful but at same time it slowly destroys them. People became dependent on
    each other making more timid and because of our success, humans population
    grows rapidly which could cause problems in our environment. However, some
    philosophers argued that altruism is demeaning to the individual and that no moral
    obligation to help others actually exists, and that all of our actions are based upon
    self-interest.
    In Egoism, in the other hand, it creates dependent yet selfish people. They
    give importance to themselves that they dont care about the welfare of the others.
    These people are capable of sustaining for their selves but at the same contribute

    less in the welfare of their community. Though every person could be an egoist, not
    because they dont care about other but they prioritize themselves first. Every once
    in a while, we become egoist specially we see that it will benefit us more than the
    other person. But this doesn't mean all behavior is selfish.
    In conclusion, people have the tendency to have both an Egoism and Altruism
    at the same time. We have to moderate between them. But it still depends on the
    person if theyll be more egoistic or altruistic.

    Egoism and Altruism


    Heres an example where we can observe Egoism and Altruism.
    Two people are lost in a desert. A has two canteens of water while B has none. A has
    three option he can choose.
    1.) A can keep the two canteens of water for himself which could lead to his
    indefinitely survival until help arrives but at the same time B would have to
    perish. This option benefits the individual. (Egoism)
    2.) A can give one his canteens to B, giving B a chance of survival until help
    arrives. But at the same time, it leaves A lesser chances of survival. Option
    two is what has allowed human beings to build societies and reap the
    benefits thereof. But chances are, people would do this because they are
    afraid to be alone or B has the skills for their survival. On a handful of people
    would genuinely do this without ulterior motives. (Altruism)
    3.) A can give both of his canteen to B forfeiting his chances of survival. But it
    gives B higher chances of survival. This last option is what we call genuine
    self-sacrifice, though this scenario can hardly be seen and only people who
    we can call heroes can do this. (Pure Altruism)
    In conclusion, feeling good about yourself is self-oriented but not necessarily selfish.
    Ultimately, it depends on which "lens" through which you chose to view human
    behavior.

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