Egoism, Altruism and

Universalism

Vyas Ronak S.
En. 190283103018
 Egoism : In philosophy, egoism is the theory that one’s self
is, or should be, the motivation and the goal of one’s own
action.

 Altruism : Altruism is the unselfish concern for other people

—doing things simply out of a desire to help, not because you
feel obligated to out of duty, loyalty, or religious reasons.

 Universalism : Universalism is the philosophical and

theological concept that some ideas have universal application
or applicability.
 Egoism
The term “egoism” derives from “ego”. Egoism should be distinguished from
egotism, which means a psychological overvaluation of one’s own importance, or
of one’s own activities.

Egoism : In philosophy, egoism is the theory that one’s self is, or should be,
the motivation and the goal of one’s own action. Where person is driven by
self interest and self benefits.

 Egoism has two variants, 1)Descriptive or 2)Normative.

The Descriptive (or positive) variant conceives egoism as a factual description of

human affairs. That is, people are motivated by their own interests and desires,
and they cannot be described otherwise.

The Normative variant proposes that people should be so motivated, regardless

of what presently motivates their behavior.
 Types of Egoism

• Personal ethical egoism:

• Only me and everyone else is irrelevant.
• Individual ethical egoism:
• Everyone should act in his/her self interest.
• Universal ethical egoism:
• Everyone should act in their own interest.
• Hedonistic egoism:
• Where people more concentrated on short term
• pleasure.
• Rational egoism:
• Everyone should act in a way that promote long term
• pleasure.
 Ethical Egoism
 Ethical egoism is a view that everyone ought to pursue his
or her own self interest.

 It is a view that is distinct from psychological egoism.

Psychological egoism maintains that humans in fact do
pursue their own self interest in all cases, and that is
impossible for them not to.

 Ethical egoism challenges many people's deepest beliefe

about moralities. We often think that morality is about
other regarding desires. However, ethical egoism tells us
only to pursue these if they are in our self interest.
 Ethical egoism require that we promot only our
self interest and those of other which directly
complete with our interest.

 Ethical egoism allows for us to do actions hat help

others as long as they promote our self interest.

 So this all about ethical egoism.

 Psychological Egoism
 Psychological egoism is not a normative theory. It is an
account of what is the case psychologically. It is a moral
psychological account of the individual human agent in the
human condition.

 It is not a normative account that in the sense that it tell us

what ought to be the case.

Psychological egoism is to be distinguished from, ethical

egoism which maintains that we ought to pursue that which
is in only our self interest even if we can pursue that which is
not in our interest.
 List of Pros of Ethical Egoism

1. Greater Chances of Personal Improvement

•
If a person makes decisions to better themselves, then they would be on a constant
journey towards self-improvement. By following the principle a person becomes
geared towards making decisions for their own benefit. For example, when faced
with the temptation of drugs or alcohol, instead of deciding based on peer
pressure or external factors, a person would think about their own well-being.
2. Improved Self Awareness

These days, people are fueled by external factors. Work is performed to please a boss,
responsibilities are accomplished to appease a spouse, and duties are fulfilled to
honor parents. But with ethical egoism , people learn to do things for themselves,
which increases self awareness and in turn, improves self worth.
• 3. Everyone is Provided For
•
If everyone were to practice ethical egoism, everyone would be provided for
through their own efforts. The poor would strive to better themselves instead of
depending on others for sustenance and would seek opportunities in the hopes of
doing what is right for themselves.
 List of cons of Ethical Egoism

• 1. Detached Society
•
With everyone thinking of themselves, people would become less likely to care
about others. If ethical egoism is practiced on a global scale, there would be a lack
of warmth or compassion among members of society because they would be more
interested in their own benefit than helping others.
• 2. Elimination of Objectivity
•
Because everyone would be fuelled by their own personal interests, objectivity
would be a thing of the past. People will forget how to put themselves in others
shoes and would lose the ability to see things from the perspectives of other people
around them.
• 3. Poor Relationships
•
Families and friendships thrive because people care about one another but with
ethical egoism, that becomes obsolete. Instead, parents think of their own benefit
and forgo that of their children. A spouse will make decisions for their own sake and
forget their partner
 Some of the quotes on egoism

• “Our ego occupies so much space there is

• little room for anything else”.

Sometimes in life we give much importance to our ego rather than the
person or work or anything else. But we should give importance to our
family members, close friends and our work.

• “Less ego, more excellence. Less talk, more do. Less rude , more polite.
Less fear, more wins.”
If you want to want success in your life then just save this quote in your
mind. If you want to be intelligent then you should have an less ego and do
more work on your goal rather than talking . And you should talk politely to
everyone and you should not have any fear in you , just go with the flow you
will definitely get success in your life.
 Altruism
 Altruism is opposite of egoism.

 Altruism implies doing something benefit to another

person, without desiring to be recognized, appreceated or
rewarded in return.

 In other words, It Is defined as unselfish regard for or

devotion to the welfare of others charitable acts motivated
purely by altruism.

 In an extreme case, altruism may become a synonym of

selflessness, which is the opposite of selfishness.
 What is altruism ?
 Prosocial behavior refers to any action that benefits other
people, no matter what the motive or how the giver benefits
from the action.
Altruism is the principle and moral practice of concern of
happiness of other human beings or animals, resulting in a
quality of life both material and spiritual.
word “Altruism” was coined by the French philosopher Auguste
Comte in French, as Altuisme , for an Anatomy of egoism. He
derived it form the Italian altrui , which in turn was derived
rom Latin alteri , meaning “other people” or “somebody else”.
 However, pure altruism improve true selflessness.
 While all altruistic act are prosocial , not all prosocial behavior
are completely altruistic.
 For example, we might help others for a variety of
reasons such as guilt, obligation, duty or even for
rewards.

 Psychologist have suggested the number of

different explanation for why altruism exist for
different reasons, so these are listed below :
1) Biological reason
2) Neurological reason
3) Cognitive reson
4) Social norms
1) Biological Reason :
 Kin selection - we may be more altruistic towards
thoae we are related to because it increases the
odd that our blood relations will survives and
transmit there genes to future generation.

2) Neurological Reason :
 Altruism activates reward central in the brain.

 Neurologist have found that when engaged in an

altruistic act, the pleasure center of brain become
active.
3) Cognitive Reason :
 while the definition of altruism involves doing for
others without rewards, there may still be
cognitive incentives that are not obvious.

 For example, we might help others to relieve out

own distress or because kind to others upholds our
view of ourselves as kind, emphatic people.
4) Social Norms :

 Societies rules, norms and expectations can also Influence

whether or not people engage in altruistic behavior.

 The norm of periodicity - a social expectations in which we fill

pressured to help others if they have done already something
for us.

 eg. If your friend loaned you money few weeks ago, you will
probably feel compelled to receprocate when he ask for loan of
Rs. 1000.

He did something for you now you feel obligated to do

something for him and to help him by giving him a loan.
• In the science of ethology (the study of animal behavior), and
more generally in the study of social evolution, altruism refers
to behavior by an individual that increases the fitness of
another individual while decreasing the fitness of the actor.

• In evolutionary psychology this may be applied to a wide range

of human behaviors such as charity, emergency aid, help to
coalition partners, tipping, courtship gifts, production of public
goods, and environmentalism.

• Marcel Mauss's book The Gift contains a passage called "Note

on alms". This note describes the evolution of the notion of
alms (and by extension of altruism) from the notion of sacrifice.
The Empathy –Altruism.
By feeling empathy for another person, it is possible for true altruistic behavior to
occur. (Theory of Batson)

• When we see a bad situation we either have…

I. Personal Distress(anxiety and fear)
II. Empathetic Concern(sympathy and compassion)

• Perspective Taking
• True altruism requires perspective taking. This requires three traits.

I. The observer has to have had similar experiences.

II. The observer is attached to the victim.

III. The person is instructed to imagine what it is like to be in the victim’s place.
 Universalism
Universalism is the philosophical and theological
concept that some ideas have universal application
or applicability.
A belief in one fundamental truth is another
important tenet in Universalism.
The living truth is seen as more far-reaching than
the national, cultural, or religious boundaries or
interpretations of that one truth.
 As the Rig Veda states, "Truth is one; sages call it
by various names
 A community that calls itself universalist may emphasize the
universal principles of most religions, and accept others in an
inclusive manner.

Universalism has had an influence on modern day Hinduism, in turn

influencing western modern spirituality.
Universalism is not only a set of values, but a worldview to which
any can subscribe if they observe and believe in the universality of
the human experience and that of all sentient life and work to
uphold the principles, ethics, and actions that safeguard these
fundamental things.
Indeed , many Universalists may be attracted to the logic of
universally applicable principles, rather than any belief or dogma.
Human unity, solidarity, and the perceived need for a sustainable
and socially conscious global order are among the tendencies of
non-religious Universalist thought.
It accepts all religions in an inclusive manner, this approach to
religion being called religious pluralism.
Moral universalism (also called moral objectivism or universal
morality) is the meta-ethical position that some system
of ethics applies universally.
That system is inclusive of all individuals, regardless of 
culture, race, sex, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, or
any other distinguishing feature. 
Moral universalism is opposed to moral nihilism and moral
relativism. Many forms of universalism, such as utilitarianism,
are non-absolutist.

Christian universalism refers to the idea that every human will

be saved in a religious or spiritual sense. This specific idea
being called universal reconciliation.
 Unitarian Universalism
 Unitarian Universalism, or Unitarianism, is a liberal religion characterized by a "free
and responsible search for truth and meaning".

 Unitarian Universalists do not share a creed, but are unified by their shared search
for spiritual growth.

 The roots of Unitarian Universalism are in liberal Christianity, from these traditions
comes a deep regard for intellectual freedom and inclusive love.

 Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) is a major association of Unitarian

Universalist congregations formed originally by the consolidation.

 In 1961 of the American Unitarian Association and the Universalist Church of

America.
so, that currently individual congregations and
members actively seek inspiration in and derive
spiritual practices from all major world religions.

The theology of individual Unitarian Universalists

ranges widely and most draw wisdom from various
religions.

 And philosophies, including Humanism, Atheism,

Agnosticism, Pantheism, Deism, Christianity,
Judaism, Islam, Neopaganism, Hinduism,
Buddhism, and many more.
Religious Point of View for Universalism.

• First Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak said himself:

"There is no Hindu, there is no Muslim".
• By this, Guru Nanak meant that there is no distinction between religion in God's
eyes, whether polytheist, monotheist, pantheist, or even atheist, all that one
needs to gain salvation is purity of heart, tolerance of all beings, compassion and
kindness.
• Hindu universalism, also called Neo-Vedanta and neo-Hinduism, is a modern
interpretation of Hinduism which developed in response to western colonialism
and orientalism. It denotes the ideology that all religions are true and therefore
worthy of toleration and respect.
• a modern interpretation that aims to present Hinduism as a "homogenized ideal of
Hinduism" with Advaita Vedanta as its central doctrine.

• Hinduism embraces universalism by conceiving the whole world as a single family

that deifies the one truth, and therefore it accepts all forms of beliefs and
dismisses labels of distinct religions which would imply a division of identity.
 Christian Unitarianism
 Christian Universalism is the belief that all human beings and
angels will ultimately attain to a proper and healthy relationship
with God thanks to Jesus Christ.

This entails the view that hell is either empty, or temporary and
remedial, or does not exist at all.

This doctrine has been accepted by Christians of various stripes.

Some are firmly convinced of it, while others describe

themselves as merely "hopeful universalists".

**Thank you **