a photo of an eye | Photo by Ruslan Alekso
Is humanity truly exclusively self-interested in nature?
From the name itself, the truth in psychological egoism revolves around the belief that all of humanity’s desires are egoistic.
Regardless of the gesture performed, it’s believed that people are motivated by self-interest and selfishness. Yes, even when they risk their lives to save others, psychological egoism posits that people do so to feel good about themselves, a benefit far from selflessness.
Reevaluating the Truth in Psychological Egoism
While philosophers like Thomas Hobbes have established this belief as truth, multiple documents have been published in support of a contradictory perspective.
One, a study by Common Cause Foundation may prove that humanity may not be as selfish as it thinks it is. Of the thousand people surveyed, 74% identified more strongly with unselfish values. They’re more interested in values like forgiveness and honesty than money and power, contradicting humanity’s perceived selfishness.
Two, an article from Frontiers in Psychology highlights humanity’s unusual behavior towards individuals considered “outsiders.” While other species show restrictive behaviors toward strangers, humans are observed to be more ultrasocial. They exhibit the capacity to empathize and show unparalleled sensitivity towards those whom they may not even know or associate with.
These reports reflect a sentiment that disapproves of the truth in psychological egoism—a similar outlook to that of author Chet Shupe.
Why Psychological Egoism Is False According to Chet Shupe
In his book Rediscovering the Wisdom of Human Nature, Chet Shupe dishes out what he perceives are errors in humanity’s constant development.
Most look at progress in a positive light.
However, Chet Shupe believes that what has become of civilization has resulted in a decline or estrangement of what humanity should be. His book is a profound and intriguing discussion of how societal norms and rules have corrupted humanity’s authenticity. It allows readers to reevaluate what it truly means to be human and explore what changes should be made to correct these errors.
An Invitation to Rethink Our Belief in Civil Rule
In an essay on his website, Spiritual Freedom Press, author Chet Shupe discusses humanity’s complex “self-interested nature.”
Primarily established by Thomas Hobbes, this belief presupposes that people are self-serving. This makes them willing to submit to a sovereign and live in a society that serves their interests. To this, Chet Shupe is adamant in disagreeing.
For him, people aren’t exclusively self-interested. As social beings, they’re motivated by their desire to belong and be with others, not solely by their personal satisfaction. While they may have self-serving tendencies and the desire to fulfill their goals, people may still veer towards helping others. Humanity is ultrasocial, consciously able, and often prefers to think of others above themselves.
The assumption that people are solely self-interested is a failure to recognize that they are feeling beings, not fundamentally rational.
What Is the Truth in Psychological Egoism?
A photo of a woman posing in front of a mirror | Photo by Freepik
“It is not the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer, or the baker, that we expect our dinner, but from their regard to their interest.”
– Adam Smith, The Wealth of Nations
While stories about cheating, stealing, and lying make people inclined to believe in humanity’s selfishness, modern psychology and observations are beginning to challenge such a universally accepted notion. The truth in psychological egoism is that when people are made to choose under time pressure, they instinctively consider the matters that contribute to the public good. But when they’re allowed to consider and think, they tend to be greedier.
What Does This Tell About Humanity?
When they rely on instinct, making decisions on a whim, people tend to be more cooperative and generous. They’re more cooperative when impulsive, which can mean one of two possibilities:
One, this results from carelessness or the lack of careful consideration.
Or two, selflessness is generally woven deep into who they are.
The latter perfectly encapsulates the proper argument for the truth in psychological egoism. In his essay, Chet Shupe correlates self-interest with civilization, saying it’s making people disobey the law of life. Instead of serving life and doing things that feel good, people have become focused on serving the state and prioritizing their survival.
The truth in psychological egoism shouldn’t be about the survival of individuals. It’s not about doing self-serving matters but rather the preservation of life itself. And this is only made possible if humanity goes back to its inherent patterns of catering to the species’ survival in general.
“In the civilized world, greed is necessary for any sense of wellbeing, at all. In the natural world, greed could not exist, because it is incompatible with the cooperation needed for a social species to survive.” – Chet Shupe, Rediscovering the Wisdom of Human Nature
If you’re interested in reading more of what Chet Shupe has to say about the truth in psychological egoism, grab a copy of his book Rediscovering the Wisdom of Human Nature.