Feasibility Study of Altruistic Ethical Responsibility in Ethical Egoism

This study investigates the feasibility and source of ethical responsibility in the theory of egoism through a descriptive-analytical method. Ethical egoism is among normative theories which-through emphasizing egoistic values - sees Man as mere responsible for securing his individual interests, one who gains the most of benefits for himself without altruistic considerations. The main challenge with which this theory is faced in explanation is the issue of “other” and ethical responsibility for others. This is a serious challenge because many of ethical values hold value and meaning only in relation with “others”.  Thus, adopting an egoistic position, results in devaluation of social ethics and adoption of an instrumental view toward others.  An egoist human being accept responsibility only for satisfying his individual happiness and joy, gaining personal satisfaction and securing collaborative benefit aimed at securing human life while this is an instrumental and non-authentic view toward responsibility.  Although ethical responsibility seems feasible in this theory, such a view results in a kind of calculation of benefit and instrumental misuse of others. This study has tried to explain the position of joy (pleasure) in the thoughts of egoists and show that egoists follow altruistic inclinations to satisfy their pleasures.