A common objection to ethical egoism is that the theory is self-defeating.
A) The essence of this objection is that if all of us do what is best for ourselves, then this would entail a version of utilitarianism, so ethical egoism defeats itself.
B) The essence of this objection is that if all of us do what is best for ourselves, then everyone will end up in a situation that is worse from an egoistic point of view.
C) No, ethical egoism is not self-defeating, but the utilitarian theory is.
D) No, ethical egoism is not self-defeating, but Kant's duty ethics is.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The objection posits that if everyone acts purely in their own self-interest, the collective outcome would be less favorable for each individual than if some degree of altruism or consideration for others were involved. This scenario suggests a paradox where acting solely for one's own benefit could lead to worse outcomes for oneself, thus challenging the practicality and coherence of ethical egoism.

A Common Objection to Ethical Egoism Is That the Theory