Deck 58: Joel Feinberg: Psychological Egoism

Question 1

A common form of psychological egoism says that people perform actions-even actions that appear to be altruistic or selfless-solely to obtain satisfaction, happiness, or pleasure. But Feinberg argues that this view of the matter is muddled. It is much more likely that we act to obtain particular things, not satisfaction itself, and that we experience satisfaction as a byproduct of obtaining those things. We don't seek satisfaction; we seek certain things that give us satisfaction when we acquire them. If the things themselves were not the object of our desires, it would be difficult to see how we could get any satisfaction from our attaining them.
-Personal egoism is a description of

A) a moral theory.
B) a personality type.
C) human nature.
D) altruism.

Answer 1

B

Question 2

A common form of psychological egoism says that people perform actions-even actions that appear to be altruistic or selfless-solely to obtain satisfaction, happiness, or pleasure. But Feinberg argues that this view of the matter is muddled. It is much more likely that we act to obtain particular things, not satisfaction itself, and that we experience satisfaction as a byproduct of obtaining those things. We don't seek satisfaction; we seek certain things that give us satisfaction when we acquire them. If the things themselves were not the object of our desires, it would be difficult to see how we could get any satisfaction from our attaining them.
-Ethical egoism says that all people ought to pursue

A) psychological stasis.
B) the greatest overall utility.
C) their own well-being.
D) moral perfection.

Answer 2

C

Question 3

A common form of psychological egoism says that people perform actions-even actions that appear to be altruistic or selfless-solely to obtain satisfaction, happiness, or pleasure. But Feinberg argues that this view of the matter is muddled. It is much more likely that we act to obtain particular things, not satisfaction itself, and that we experience satisfaction as a byproduct of obtaining those things. We don't seek satisfaction; we seek certain things that give us satisfaction when we acquire them. If the things themselves were not the object of our desires, it would be difficult to see how we could get any satisfaction from our attaining them.
-The doctrine that the only thing people are capable of ultimately desiring is their own pleasure is called

A) hedonistic monism.
B) psychological egoistic hedonism.
C) psychological ethics.
D) psychological egoistic morality.

Answer 3

B

Question 4

A common form of psychological egoism says that people perform actions-even actions that appear to be altruistic or selfless-solely to obtain satisfaction, happiness, or pleasure. But Feinberg argues that this view of the matter is muddled. It is much more likely that we act to obtain particular things, not satisfaction itself, and that we experience satisfaction as a byproduct of obtaining those things. We don't seek satisfaction; we seek certain things that give us satisfaction when we acquire them. If the things themselves were not the object of our desires, it would be difficult to see how we could get any satisfaction from our attaining them.
-According to Feinberg, empirical evidence is seldom presented in support of psychological egoism.

Question 5

A common form of psychological egoism says that people perform actions-even actions that appear to be altruistic or selfless-solely to obtain satisfaction, happiness, or pleasure. But Feinberg argues that this view of the matter is muddled. It is much more likely that we act to obtain particular things, not satisfaction itself, and that we experience satisfaction as a byproduct of obtaining those things. We don't seek satisfaction; we seek certain things that give us satisfaction when we acquire them. If the things themselves were not the object of our desires, it would be difficult to see how we could get any satisfaction from our attaining them.
-According to Feinberg, the arguments for psychological egoism fail.

Question 6

A common form of psychological egoism says that people perform actions-even actions that appear to be altruistic or selfless-solely to obtain satisfaction, happiness, or pleasure. But Feinberg argues that this view of the matter is muddled. It is much more likely that we act to obtain particular things, not satisfaction itself, and that we experience satisfaction as a byproduct of obtaining those things. We don't seek satisfaction; we seek certain things that give us satisfaction when we acquire them. If the things themselves were not the object of our desires, it would be difficult to see how we could get any satisfaction from our attaining them.
-Feinberg says that from the fact that all our successful actions are accompanied or followed by pleasure, it follows that the objective of every action is to get pleasure for oneself.

Question 7

A common form of psychological egoism says that people perform actions-even actions that appear to be altruistic or selfless-solely to obtain satisfaction, happiness, or pleasure. But Feinberg argues that this view of the matter is muddled. It is much more likely that we act to obtain particular things, not satisfaction itself, and that we experience satisfaction as a byproduct of obtaining those things. We don't seek satisfaction; we seek certain things that give us satisfaction when we acquire them. If the things themselves were not the object of our desires, it would be difficult to see how we could get any satisfaction from our attaining them.
-Feinberg asserts that an exclusive desire for happiness is the surest way to prevent happiness from coming into being.

Question 8

A common form of psychological egoism says that people perform actions-even actions that appear to be altruistic or selfless-solely to obtain satisfaction, happiness, or pleasure. But Feinberg argues that this view of the matter is muddled. It is much more likely that we act to obtain particular things, not satisfaction itself, and that we experience satisfaction as a byproduct of obtaining those things. We don't seek satisfaction; we seek certain things that give us satisfaction when we acquire them. If the things themselves were not the object of our desires, it would be difficult to see how we could get any satisfaction from our attaining them.
-Psychological egoism is an empirical thesis.

Question 9

A common form of psychological egoism says that people perform actions-even actions that appear to be altruistic or selfless-solely to obtain satisfaction, happiness, or pleasure. But Feinberg argues that this view of the matter is muddled. It is much more likely that we act to obtain particular things, not satisfaction itself, and that we experience satisfaction as a byproduct of obtaining those things. We don't seek satisfaction; we seek certain things that give us satisfaction when we acquire them. If the things themselves were not the object of our desires, it would be difficult to see how we could get any satisfaction from our attaining them.
-Ethical egoism is a moral theory.

Question 10

A common form of psychological egoism says that people perform actions-even actions that appear to be altruistic or selfless-solely to obtain satisfaction, happiness, or pleasure. But Feinberg argues that this view of the matter is muddled. It is much more likely that we act to obtain particular things, not satisfaction itself, and that we experience satisfaction as a byproduct of obtaining those things. We don't seek satisfaction; we seek certain things that give us satisfaction when we acquire them. If the things themselves were not the object of our desires, it would be difficult to see how we could get any satisfaction from our attaining them.
-Almost no one accepts psychological egoism.

Question 11

A common form of psychological egoism says that people perform actions-even actions that appear to be altruistic or selfless-solely to obtain satisfaction, happiness, or pleasure. But Feinberg argues that this view of the matter is muddled. It is much more likely that we act to obtain particular things, not satisfaction itself, and that we experience satisfaction as a byproduct of obtaining those things. We don't seek satisfaction; we seek certain things that give us satisfaction when we acquire them. If the things themselves were not the object of our desires, it would be difficult to see how we could get any satisfaction from our attaining them.
-Psychological egoism is supported by moral arguments.

Question 12

A common form of psychological egoism says that people perform actions-even actions that appear to be altruistic or selfless-solely to obtain satisfaction, happiness, or pleasure. But Feinberg argues that this view of the matter is muddled. It is much more likely that we act to obtain particular things, not satisfaction itself, and that we experience satisfaction as a byproduct of obtaining those things. We don't seek satisfaction; we seek certain things that give us satisfaction when we acquire them. If the things themselves were not the object of our desires, it would be difficult to see how we could get any satisfaction from our attaining them.
-Feinberg accepts psychological egoism.

Question 13

A common form of psychological egoism says that people perform actions-even actions that appear to be altruistic or selfless-solely to obtain satisfaction, happiness, or pleasure. But Feinberg argues that this view of the matter is muddled. It is much more likely that we act to obtain particular things, not satisfaction itself, and that we experience satisfaction as a byproduct of obtaining those things. We don't seek satisfaction; we seek certain things that give us satisfaction when we acquire them. If the things themselves were not the object of our desires, it would be difficult to see how we could get any satisfaction from our attaining them.
-Feinberg thinks nearly everyone is an ethical egoist.