Utilitarianism and Ethical Egoism - Essay Example

Morally speaking, the utilitarian premise must be used on a personal level without harming others in pursuit of such. In the world nowadays, it cannot be disregarded that most people are trying to be happy or get pleasure at the expense of others either by using them or by fooling them. It is still not right for an individual to be so self – centered without careful consideration of how his or her pursuit of happiness puts other people in a highly volatile situation. This seems to be the most common problem with the use of utilitarianism as a way of doing and perceiving things.

Ethical EgoismSelf – interest is the main thread that binds egoism (Driver 31). In this case, what seems to be ethical with egoism is the importance of taking into account the effects of one’s exercise of ego, with rational thinking coming into play (Driver 32). With such a case, there are some complications that come along with is pointed out by Huemer, where ethical egoism cannot really give the personal satisfaction that is tantamount to the effort exerted (Huemer). With this condition, there is a need to understand that the philosophy itself is oftentimes problematic in terms of application and of practice.

On a critical level, there is nothing wrong about being self – centered when it comes to needs or desires. However, indulgence might be a problematic condition that emerges henceforth. At the same time, conceitedness is another lateral condition that happens. These two possibilities make egoism rather unwelcoming since both appear to be lacking rational self – judgment. The weakness of ethical egoism comes when it lacks rational thinking. In most cases, egoism is used to underestimate others.

This is no longer beneficial for an individual even if self – centered agenda comes with it. Pragmatically, people are always reinforcing their egos and use it to get what they need. Sometimes, some will use it not just for personal gain or personal glory. They use it for the benefit of others. If the self – centered tendencies are diverted to a greater good for that matter, then things will surely be better for everyone.