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How does utilitarianism differ from ethical egoism?
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Utilitarianism
English philosopher and economist Jeremy Bentham's preserved skeleton in his own clothes and surmounted by a wax head, at University College London.
While both utilitarianism and ethical egoism are forms of consequentialismâtheories that evaluate actions based on their outcomesâthey differ fundamentally in whose interests those outcomes should serve.12
- Ethical Egoism: This theory posits that moral decision-making should be guided entirely by an individual's own self-interest. It asserts that an action is right if it promotes the agent's own well-being, even if it comes at the expense of others.12
- Utilitarianism: This theory, often described as "universalistic hedonism," holds that an action is right if it promotes the greatest happiness or pleasure for the greatest number of people. Unlike egoism, utilitarianism requires that the interests of everyone affected by an action be considered equally.32
Essentially, while the egoist focuses exclusively on personal benefit, the utilitarian adopts an impartial perspective, aiming to maximize the aggregate happiness of all individuals involved. Utilitarianism explicitly rejects the egoistic view that one should prioritize their own interests over the collective good.42