An earlier version of the same objection was made by Joseph Butler in 1726. Joel Feinberg, in his 1958 paper "Psychological Egoism", embraces a similar critique by drawing attention to the infinite regress of psychological egoism.
First published in 1789. Broad, C.
Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1907.
An earlier version of the same objection was made by Joseph Butler in 1726. Joel Feinberg, in his 1958 paper "Psychological Egoism", embraces a similar critique by drawing attention to the infinite regress of psychological egoism.
He expounds it in the following cross-examination: "All men desire only satisfaction." "Satisfaction of what?" "Satisfaction of their desires." "Their desires for what?" "Their desires for satisfaction." "Satisfaction of what?" "Their desires." "For what?" "For satisfaction"—etc., ad infinitum. === Evolutionary argument === In their 1998 book, Unto Others, Sober and Wilson detailed an evolutionary argument based on the likelihood for egoism to evolve under the pressures of natural selection.
California: Thomson Wadsworth, 2008. Kaplan, J.
more reliable. === Equivocation === In philosopher Derek Parfit's 2011 book On What Matters, Volume 1, Parfit presents an argument against psychological egoism that centers around an apparent equivocation between different senses of the word "want": The word ‘desire’ often refers to our sensual desires or appetites, or to our being attracted to something, by finding the thought of it appealing.
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