Ethical Egoism - How do you make personal decisions?

I have found that people are constantly fighting with themselves about how to make decisions.  Should I make decisions that benefit me or should I consider the opinions and desires of others?  There is no concrete answer to this question as the situational possibilities are practically infinite.  Even between cultures, decisions are shaped by surroundings.  For the purpose of this argument, I suggest that ultimately, everyone acts in accordance with his or her own self interest, therefore making all humans egoists.  If all humans are egoists, to what extent could anyone support a legitimate reason to care for, and cooperate with others?  I use three different countries to propose that different environments create varying degrees of purpose for social cooperation.  These variations seem to be associated with a person’s background and lifestyle, chosen based upon the outcome with the highest probability of survival.

Within the United States, we are constantly bombarded with the “American Dream” myth.  We are subtly, yet purposefully, reminded that everyone can succeed if they try “hard enough.”  Personal ambitions are often brought to the attention of others in hope that one might find assistance towards ultimate goals of success.  This seems to create an environment where each individual person makes decisions that move him closer to his final goal, only making decisions that benefit others when convenient.

This makes me a bit uneasy, but perhaps the American thought process is actually beneficial.  The United States has accomplished more than any other country in terms of recent technological advances.  This is a bold, but irrefutable claim; especially when considering such accomplishments as the airplane, the internet, medicine, and superior athletic training.  Why then, does the United States have a depression rate of 16 percent, an astronomically high figure when compared to the rest of the world? Considering the amount of people who probably have undiagnosed depression, I would estimate this percentage to be much larger.  The “success for all” theory seems to be a powerful motivational tool for success but perhaps not the best for promoting happiness.  When people meet a constant stream of failures after being taught that they will eventually meet success, they tire and instead greet depression.

Through extensive world travel I have found that many other cultures do not have the same decision-making style as modeled in the U.S.  In China, as I walked the famous street markets, I could not help but notice the unfailing collaboration between the shopkeepers.  Shopping in China is not a leisurely activity.  I would compare the experience to a gauntlet race.  Different shops work together to set their prices, lure potential customers, and essentially pull as much money into their economy as possible.  Profits are often shared amongst all members.  All succeed or none succeed.  The Chinese are raised to make decisions that benefit their family and community over themselves.  Doesn’t that sound like the theme of a children’s book?  Nah, when the Chinese work together, they are ultimately looking out for themselves because without a supportive team they would fail.  Business moves fast in China and individuals are left in the dust.

Australian behavior fully contrasts that of China.  People seem to keep their problems to themselves and make decisions that are individually beneficial.  Even within families, Australians do not expect much support and in turn give little.  When spending time with my aussie relatives, I have to remember to avoid certain conversational topics as to not make them uncomfortable.  Fortunately, if I do slip and mention my iPod breaking or the fact that I failed a test, I can be sure they won’t care after a few minutes.  Most Australians are extremely laid back and don’t worry too much about the behavior of others.  They make personal decisions to have the best time they can, all the time, regardless of their interactions with others.  This individualistic mentality creates a very pleasurable living environment but perhaps at a loss to productivity. 

All three countries exemplify a different style of ethical egoism, the normative ethical position that individuals ought to make moral decisions based on their own self-interest. People will naturally have different “common sense” moral intuitions based on their surroundings. In the United States, common sense seems to mean that individuals will primarily act upon their own desires and act upon the desires of others when convenient. This behavior models that of individuals who have accepted the theory of universal ethical egoism, claiming that everyone should act in their own self interest. But…If everyone acts in their own self interest, won’t that cause morals to clash? Yes. Yes, Yes, and Yes!!! This theory is the formula for good ’ole fashioned American competition. Based on the American lifestyle, universal ethical egoism would create a high rate of productivity, with a high potential for individuals to be dissatisfied with their life.

Chinese culture resembles one in which individuals are expected to make the desires of others congruent with their own. This lifestyle shows that the Chinese follow a position called individual ethical egoism, which claims that all should act to serve “my,” meaning each individual’s, self interest. If all Chinese share the common goal of improving everyone, everyone is acting in a way that serves everyone’s self interest. Wow, that is deep! The productivity of China is not as rampant as the competition-based United States, but a solid teamwork mentality still creates a great environment for accomplishment. On the surface, happiness is somewhat hard to assess, but after being submerged into the culture, I can say with confidence that the Chinese find contentment within their positive work environment and supportive community.

In some instances, happiness can be very easy to assess… Australians love to be alive! They live to be happy. Every individual considers himself to be responsible for his own attitude. However, because aussies look out for themselves, they often concentrate on pleasure before work. Australia, for good reason, has a stereotype of aiming for mediocrity. These facts suggest that aussies follow a position called personal ethical egoism, looking out for oneself while ignoring the resulting effects on others. Australian happiness tops the charts while productivity remains somewhat average.

I do not see altruism as a very logical means of living and therefore do not believe that anyone could actually live by this “virtue.”  Altruism is the selfless concern for others while ignoring personal self interest.  Consider all the starving people of the world.  If I were a true believer of altruism, I could give everything I had, still not be able to give enough, and consequently have no means to keep myself alive.  Every act holds some degree of selfish desire.  Helping others creates positive feelings, builds support, and increases knowledge.  If one makes decisions that benefit everyone, he increases the chance that others will make decisions that benefit him.  Of course an egoist could legitimately care for, and cooperate with others!  It is in his best interest to do so.  Obviously different environments will call for different amounts of social cooperation and the extent to which this takes place is dependent upon the environment of every individual.