Deck 8: Egoism and Moral Skepticism James Rachels

Question 1

Psychological egoism is the view that all people _______ selfish in everything they do.

A) ought to be
B) are
C) Both a and b
D) Neither a nor b

Answer 1

B

Question 2

According to Glaucon, the virtuous man who possessed Gyges's ring would

A) behave no better than the rogue.
B) behave slightly better than the rogue.
C) behave significantly better than the rogue.
D) continue to act fully virtuously.

Answer 2

A

Question 3

The view that a person is only obligated to pursue their own self-interest is known as

A) psychological egoism.
B) ethical egoism.
C) narcissism.
D) solipsism.

Answer 3

B

Question 4

According to Rachels, psychological egoism rests on which of the following confusions?

A) The notion that altruism is very rare
B) The notion that every action is done either from self-interest or selfishness
C) The confusion of selfishness with self-interest
D) Al of the above

Question 5

In the story cited by Rachels, Abraham Lincoln claims to have acted selfishly in helping some pigs who had fallen in the mud because he

A) would have lost his peace of mind if he hadn't helped the pigs.
B) hoped to buy the pigs from the local farmer who owned them.
C) hoped to impress his traveling companion with his gesture of compassion.
D) All of the above

Question 6

According to Rachels, if Smith wants to do something that will help his friend, even when it means forgoing his own enjoyments,

A) he acts selfishly.
B) he acts unselfishly.
C) he does what he ought to do.
D) he acts impermissibly.

Question 7

What, according to Rachels, determines whether an action is selfish or not?

A) The object of the action
B) The subjective desire motivating the action
C) The expected consequences of the action
D) All of the above

Question 8

If a rational ethical egoist advocated principles of conduct to the general public, what kind of principles would they be?

A) Egoistic
B) Altruistic
C) Utilitarian
D) Hedonistic

Question 9

What reason does Rachels give for not taking actions that would hurt other people?

A) It is against our own interests to harm others.
B) It is to everyone's advantage to live in a society in which the rights of all are respected.
C) It is inconsistent to harm others while insisting that they not harm us.
D) Such actions would hurt other people.

Question 10

According to Rachels, the welfare of others is something that most of us

A) value indirectly.
B) value for the sake of something else.
C) value for its own sake.
D) value for our own sake.

Question 11

Psychological egoism is a normative view.

Question 12

According to Rachels, people never voluntarily do anything except what they want to do.

Question 13

According to Rachels, the unselfish person is precisely the one who derives satisfaction from helping others.

Question 14

Rachels argues that every action is motivated either by self-interest or concern for others.

Question 15

According to Rachels, selfishness and self-interest are not the same thing.

Question 16

Rachels argues that if someone desires the welfare and happiness of another person, this means that this satisfaction is not the object of his desire.

Question 17

The rational egoist cannot advocate that egoism be universally adopted.

Question 18

According to Rachels, the reason for pursuing policies that promote the welfare of human beings is simply that they are for the good of human beings.

Question 19

Rachels believes that while the egoist is mistaken, proper philosophical argument can change her mind.

Question 20

Rachels notes that there is no inconsistency in desiring that everyone, including oneself and others, be well-off and happy.

Question 21

Are all our actions ultimately motivated by self-interest? Explain your view with reference to Rachels's arguments and also spell out its ethical implications.

Question 22

What, according to Rachels, is psychological egoism? What are the merits of psychological egoism? Do you think a version of this position is immune to Rachels's criticisms? Explain your answer.

Question 23

According to Rachels, the unselfish person is precisely the one who derives satisfaction from helping others. Why does Rachels believe that this poses problems for psychological egoism? Do you think he is correct about these problems? Why or why not?

Question 24

What would you do if you possessed Gyges's ring? What should you do if you possessed Gyges's ring? Defend your answer to both questions.