Ethical Egoism and Rationality

Abstract

In the preceding two chapters, I tried to show that no version of Ethical Egoism, whether strong or weak, is tenable. But even if my arguments are accepted, a lingering doubt may remain. ‘Is there not something wrong with these arguments? For, obviously, it is rational to (try to) act as Ethical Egoism prescribes.’ As I said in 4.5, one argument for Ethical Egoism, and, I think, a main reason why it is found plausible, is that it connects with a widely held conviction of what it is to act rationally.1