Chapter 08 Self Quiz

. Psychological egoism is the view that

all people ought to be selfish in everything they do.

all people are selfish in everything they do.

both A and B.

neither A nor B.

. The view that a person is only obligated to pursue her own self-interest is known as

psychological egoism.

ethical egoism.

narcissism.

solipsism.

. In the story cited by Rachels, Abraham Lincoln claims to have acted selfishly in helping some pigs who had fallen in the mud because

he would have lost his peace of mind if he hadn’t helped the pigs.

he hoped to buy the pigs from the local farmer who owned them.

he hoped to impress his traveling companion with his gesture of compassion.

all of the above

. What, according to Rachels, determines whether an action is selfish or not?

the object of the action

the subjective desire motivating the action

the expected consequences of the action

all of the above

. What reason does Rachels give for not taking actions that would hurt other people?

It is against our own interests to harm others.

It is to everyone’s advantage to live in a society in which the rights of all are respected.

It is inconsistent to harm others while insisting that they not harm us.

Such actions would hurt other people.

. Psychological egoism is a normative view.

True

False

. According to Rachels, the unselfish person is precisely the one who derives satisfaction from helping others.

True

False

. According to Rachels, selfishness and self-interest are not the same thing.

True

False

. The rational egoist cannot advocate that egoism be universally adopted.

True

False

Quiz Content