Ethical egoism and hedonism are two distinct ethical theories that deal with morality and the motivation behind human actions.
Ethical egoism is the belief that individuals should act in their own self-interest. This philosophy suggests that it is morally right to prioritize one’s own needs and desires over those of others. Ethical egoists argue that by pursuing their own happiness and well-being, individuals indirectly contribute to the greater good, as society benefits from people acting in ways that fulfill their own interests.
On the other hand, hedonism is the ethical theory that pleasure or happiness is the highest good. Hedonists believe that the pursuit of pleasure and the avoidance of pain are the primary motivations for human behavior. While ethical egoists can be hedonists if their self-interest aligns with the pursuit of pleasure, not all ethical egoists are hedonists. An ethical egoist might act to further their interests in ways that do not prioritize pleasure as a value, such as seeking power or status.
In summary, while ethical egoism focuses on self-interest as a moral imperative, hedonism emphasizes the importance of pleasure. Although there can be overlap between the two, they are not synonymous, and not all ethical egoists identify as hedonists.