In the document, I provide arguments for each of my philosophical positions. The recommended readings expand on these arguments and provide responses to potential counterarguments.
I am neither a psychological egoist nor an ethical egoist. On page 5, I list "concern for other sentient beings" as a plausible ultimate motivational consideration. I go on to recommend aiming for peace of mind, arguing that empathic/sympathetic feelings (if one has them) incorporate the welfare of other sentient beings into one’s own state of mind. That said, I note that "in situations in which one doubts that aiming for peace of mind would be in accordance with the preponderance of one’s ultimate motivational considerations, one may appeal directly to those considerations." (page 6)
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In the document, I provide arguments for each of my philosophical positions. The recommended readings expand on these arguments and provide responses to potential counterarguments.
I am neither a psychological egoist nor an ethical egoist. On page 5, I list "concern for other sentient beings" as a plausible ultimate motivational consideration. I go on to recommend aiming for peace of mind, arguing that empathic/sympathetic feelings (if one has them) incorporate the welfare of other sentient beings into one’s own state of mind. That said, I note that "in situations in which one doubts that aiming for peace of mind would be in accordance with the preponderance of one’s ultimate motivational considerations, one may appeal directly to those considerations." (page 6)