Ethical egoism, like any egoism, refers to self-interest and the desire to achieve a goal with a level of disregard in terms of specific moral norms or other factors. However, ethical egoism, in particular, which is a normative notion, suggests that one’s actions can be morally explained in case the result is beneficial for the person executing them. On the other hand, descriptive egoism, which can be psychological and rational while also illustrating an aim toward self-interest, has other explanations. Psychological egoism is the belief that individuals think primarily about their own well-being, which is why they act accordingly (Shaver, 2019). On the other hand, rational egoism portrays the notion that an action is always rational if it is intended for one’s particular self-interest. However, the criticism of the theory refers to Kant and utilitarianism as other moral theories that always include the interests of other people as major factors.
The theories of relativism and objectivism explain morality from two perspectives. On the one hand, moral relativism suggests that everything is relative and depends on circumstances (Gowans, 2021). On the other hand, objectivism illustrates the necessity for a set of moral rules that are to be followed.
Individuals may be attracted to relativism since it leaves room for subjectivity and moral creativity. However, the attraction of objectivism is supported by its strict and comprehensive rules. Critics may say that relativism is too broad and may encourage people to act based on their possibly deformed norms instead of the societal ones. Moreover, objectivism can be criticized as a theory that implies that the same moral guidelines work for every person.
The dialogue between Socrates and Gorgias covered ethics, on which the two had opposing views. Gorgias, a sophist, put a value on succeeding as a primary driving factor. Socrates, however, believed that knowledge is more critical and egoism is a private interest that ought to be secondary (Griswold, 2020). This is also the difference between philosophy and sophistry, one being ethical and the other one being less restricted by moral rules. Thus, Gorgia’s approach is dangerous due to the lack of moral guidelines that become useless in a paradigm when self-interest is the vital goal.
References
Gowans, C. (2021). Moral relativism. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Web.
Griswold, C. L. (2020). Plato on rhetoric and poetry. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Web.
Shaver, R. (2019). Egoism. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Web.