Is Morality All About Me?

By the end of this class, you will:

  1. Be able to explain the distinction between psychological and ethical egoism, and be familiar with at least one objection to each.
  2. Be able to explain the point of the story of Gyges’ Ring
  3. Begin formulating your own views about the relationship between acting morally and acting out of self-interest.

(K2, K3, D1, D2, D3)

Before the Plenary

Read This

“Ring of Gyges” (Plato)

Watch This

After the Plenary

Reflect on today’s reading and on this these) question(s):

  • What do you think the average person would do if they possessed the power to make themselves invisible (or some other “superpower” that allowed them to get away with doing whatever they pleased without getting caught or punished)?
  • If it were you who possessed the power, would you behave differently than the average person? How much differently? Why?
  • Is acting justly/morally more important than acting in a way that benefits yourself? If so, in what sense of “more important”?
  • Can acting immorally ever truly benefit oneself?

Be prepared to discuss with your Peer Dialogue Group.