Discussion
Which of the following best summarizes Kant's possible criticism of Egoism as a theory of Ethics ?
Answer: D
The best summary is one cannot will the egoistic maxim to be universalized.
Kant's categorical imperative requires us to act only on a maxim that we can at the same time will to become a universal law. The egoist's maxim, 'always act for my own advantage, using others as needed', cannot be willed as a universal law without defeating itself, since if everyone acted on it the egoist would be used in turn; and it treats other persons merely as means. That is the Kantian test applied to egoism.
The other options are criticisms made by other writers: that ethical egoism is self-contradictory (a charge made by G.E. Moore and others), that it rests on a wrong view of human nature (Butler's objection), or that it involves conflicts of will. They are not the specifically Kantian objection.
Post your comment
Please log in or register to post a comment.
Examination Categories
- SSC Exams
- Banking Exams
- Teaching Exams
- Civil Services Exams
- Railways Exams
- Engineering Recruitment Exams
- Defence Exams
- State Government Exams
- Police Exams
- Insurance Exams
- Nursing Exams
- Other Government Exams
- NRA CET
- PG Entrance Exams
- Campus Placement
- MBA Entrance Exams
- CUET and UG Entrance
- Judiciary Exams
- Regulatory Body Exams
- Software Development