A Brief Introduction into Max Stirner's Ethical Egoism

 by Amazing Izekor

Max Stirner

Both psychological and ethical egoism explain that 'altruistic' actions have selfish motives. However, there is an important distinction between the two. The former suggests that we always act for our own benefit or, more accurately, what we perceive to be self-interest. Psychological egoism denies the existence of altruistic motives; there is always an ulterior motive. It is a descriptive theory that bases itself on empirical claims about human nature. Ethical egoism is a normative agent-focused ethic based upon self-interest, as it also explains that altruistic actions have selfish motives. However, it is a directive by which one should be guided to behave, as opposed to merely being descriptive. Another distinction to be made is that acting in one's self-interest is arguably more than just being selfish because it involves a complex consideration of short and long-term benefits, which is what the philosopher Max Stirner explored in his version of ethical egoism. Psychological and ethical egoism are intricately related; however, Stirner ironically argued against the notion of self-interest (as understood by psychological egoism) because it incorrectly identified the nature of the true 'self'.

Indeed, ethical egoism focuses on self-interest, but Max Stirner implores one to understand that true egoism is a matter of realising what is 'own' and 'ownness' by not being driven by external ideologies that enslave us, but to gain mastery over oneself. Once this has been realised, one may consider themselves an ethical egoist and Stirner argued that this is how one should make ethical decisions. Arguably, ethical egoism is misunderstood because one assumes its focus on self-interest is selfish. However, Stirner advocates for a union of egoists which can be built once uniqueness is realised, which follows from the initial realisation of self. This union of egoists encourages co-operation, which should not be confused with altruism, as individuals should still act according to their self-interest (as understood by ethical egoism). Cooperation is necessary to avoid chaos.