The duty we have to telling the truth, keeping our promises, and not harming others are “ultimately derived from the one fundamental principle of self-interest” (Rachels, 75). If we break any of these rules then others will treat us badly. This means we are better off obeying the rules because that is how we ensure that others treat us well. Ultimately it is in a person’s self-interest to follow these rules as they will ensure the best outcome. The issue with this way of thinking is that self-interest and these ordinary rules of morality do not always coincide, it may be to a person’s advantage to break a moral rule and treat someone badly. “Ethical Egoism says that self-interest is the only reason to help others,” so even if donating money to the poor is the right thing to do, it does not necessarily support the interests of an
The duty we have to telling the truth, keeping our promises, and not harming others are “ultimately derived from the one fundamental principle of self-interest” (Rachels, 75). If we break any of these rules then others will treat us badly. This means we are better off obeying the rules because that is how we ensure that others treat us well. Ultimately it is in a person’s self-interest to follow these rules as they will ensure the best outcome. The issue with this way of thinking is that self-interest and these ordinary rules of morality do not always coincide, it may be to a person’s advantage to break a moral rule and treat someone badly. “Ethical Egoism says that self-interest is the only reason to help others,” so even if donating money to the poor is the right thing to do, it does not necessarily support the interests of an