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Preference Utilitarianism and Ethical Egoism

Question: is preference utilitarianism the same as ethical egoism?

Basic definitions -
Preference utilitarianism:
Unlike classical utilitarianism, which defines right actions as those that maximize pleasure and minimize pain of the greater majority, it promotes actions that fulfill the interests (preferences) of those beings involved, especially the person making the decision.
Ethical egoism:
The normative ethical position that moral agents ought to do what is in their own self-interest.

Any opinions? Maybe situations which show that people following these would/would not act the same?
Reply 1
Avatar for gribble1803
gribble1803
I personally wouldn't say they are the same, utilitarianism is GGFTGN (greatest good for the greatest number) this takes into consideration everyone else. Preference is taking into consideration everyone's likes and dislikes, ethical egoism Is for you self. If preference is to minimise pain rather than maximising pleasure for everyone, then this can't be the same as EE as it's about maximising pleasure for yourself


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Original post by gribble1803
I personally wouldn't say they are the same, utilitarianism is GGFTGN (greatest good for the greatest number) this takes into consideration everyone else. Preference is taking into consideration everyone's likes and dislikes, ethical egoism Is for you self. If preference is to minimise pain rather than maximising pleasure for everyone, then this can't be the same as EE as it's about maximising pleasure for yourself


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I have never understood why people say this; utilitarianism prescribes producing the maximal good, where good is some desirous mental state. To produce maximal good is not identical with producing maximal good for the greatest number however; the good is aggregative, irrespective of the constitutive individuals, i.e. we may move to state of affairs where fewer people obtain good, but to a sufficiently greater extent that total good increases.
Original post by Barenhaft
Question: is preference utilitarianism the same as ethical egoism?

Basic definitions -
Preference utilitarianism:
Unlike classical utilitarianism, which defines right actions as those that maximize pleasure and minimize pain of the greater majority, it promotes actions that fulfill the interests (preferences) of those beings involved, especially the person making the decision.
Ethical egoism:
The normative ethical position that moral agents ought to do what is in their own self-interest.

Any opinions? Maybe situations which show that people following these would/would not act the same?


They are radically different. Creating maximal good is an impersonal moral obligation which may prescribe personal ruin; egoism denotes maximising ones personal interests.
Reply 4
Avatar for Barenhaft
Barenhaft
OP
Original post by wilson_smith
They are radically different. Creating maximal good is an impersonal moral obligation which may prescribe personal ruin; egoism denotes maximising ones personal interests.


Thanks for your answer.
Preference utilitarianism can, of course, be radically different - e.g. if the person's interests are in following a moral code. It can also be pushed to the extreme of maximising the person's own pleasure above anyone else's. Is this really different from egoism?

Original post by gribble1803
If preference is to minimise pain rather than maximising pleasure for everyone, then this can't be the same as EE as it's about maximising pleasure for yourself

That's negative utilitarianism, it's different indeed. :smile:

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