Ethical Egoism II

 EEh: An act, A, is morally right iff A maximizes hedonic agent utility.

The "Invisible Hand" Argument for EEh
 
1. The community as a whole is best off if each member acts so as to maximize hedonic agent utility.
 
2. If (1), then each individual ought to act so as to maximize hedonic agent utility.
 
3. If each individual ought to act so as to maximize hedonic agent utility, then EEh is an acceptable normative theory.
 
4. Therefore, EEh is an acceptable normative theory. [1,2,3 MMP]
 
 
Rachels' Arbitrariness Argument against EEh
 
D1: A theory, T, is arbitrary =df. T implies that it is morally right to treat people differently even though there are no factual differences between those people that would justify such differential treatment.
 
1. EEh is arbitrary.
2. If (1), then EEh is not an acceptable normative theory.
3. Therefore, EEh is not an acceptable normative theory. [1,2 MP]
 
 
Fred's Argument against EEh
 
                                                 Agent HU (HAU)         Universal HU
a1. Steal painting                                 +100                   -1,000,000
a2. Leave it where it is                         -100                   +1,000,000
 
1. If EEh is an acceptable normative theory, then a1 is morally obligatory.
2. It is not the case that a1 is morally obligatory.
3. Therefore, it's not the case that EEh is an acceptable normative theory. [1,2 MT]
 
D2: An act, A, is self-sacrificial =df. (i) A does not maximize hedonic agent utility (A is not in the long-term self-interest of the agent of A, calculated hedonistically), and (ii) the agent of A recognizes that A does not maximize hedonic agent utility but benefits others instead.
 
1. If EEh is an acceptable normative theory, then self-sacrificial acts are never morally permissible.
2. It's not the case that self-sacrificial acts are never morally permissible.
3. Therefore, it's not the case that EEh is an acceptable normative theory. [1,2 MT]
 
 
Some Final Objections
 
D3: A theory, T, is K-universalizable for a person, S, =df. S can consistently will that everyone always act in accordance with T.

D4: A theory, T, is K-acceptable =df. all fully informed, rational agents can consistently will that everyone always act in accordance with T.

D5: A theory, T, is R-acceptable for a person, S, =df. Out of purely self-interested motives, S would select T to be the normative theory governing all rational behavior from behind the "veil of ignorance".

D6: A theory, T, is R-acceptable =df. T would be unanimously selected by self-interested, rational planners in the Original Position as the normative theory governing all rational behavior .
 
 
From Fred's "Hare's Proof":
 
(U): If A endorses 'A ought to do x to B', then A is committed to the view that, if A and B were to swap roles, then B ought to do x to A. (273)