“That is nonsense,” scoffs Hobbes as he takes a seat on a nearby couch, and makeup and hair artists rush in for a touchup. Between the powdering of his nose and fluffing his scraggly hair, Hobbes manages to explain, “The truth of the matter is that people naturally act from self-interest. Why did you come to visit me today? Because you wanted to learn from me. Why do you want to help your clan? Because you enjoy the accolades you’ll receive from your group, and you get that when you bring back something valuable. Happiness is subjective. I define happiness as getting what you want, whatever it may be. But power is the ability to get what you want. Giving people what they want or need is just another form of power that increases your personal capital and worth in the group. Whatever altruistic motives you think you have, it really boils down to psychological egoism and the fact that you’ll gain power and happiness from your choices. You are acting in your own self-interest.”
You look a little chagrined because Hobbes has you thinking that your motives throughout this quest have been selfish all along. Seeing the look on your face, Hobbes comments, “you shouldn’t frown so. It is giving you lines on your face that age you tremendously. Movie stars have to look good. Rachel!” he calls, “bring some bronzer for our friend here!” As his assistant Rachel bustles over and begins dabbing at your face, Hobbes continues. “Don’t feel bad. We are psychologically programmed to act in a self-interested way. It’s just human nature.”
Hobbes settles into the couch as the makeup artist wraps a hot towel around his head blocking any further communication. In the meantime, Rachel continues to work on your face while muttering under her breath. “Excuse me,” you say softly to Rachel. Do you not agree with Mr. Hobbes?”
“Of course not,” Rachel counters. “I’ve been working with Mr. Hobbes and other Egoists like him for decades, and there are many flaws in this argument. I should have introduced myself – I’m Rachel James. Anyway, in this line of thinking, even the most generous, selfless, and noble acts are reduced to egoistic selfishness. The claim becomes empty because nothing could count as unselfish, altruistic behavior. People do all kinds of things that are altruistic and at the same time, people even do cruel things that go against their self-interest such as self-defeating acts of revenge. It just isn’t true that self-interest naturally motivates all behavior.”
“You do good work,” you say to Rachel as you admire your reflection in the mirror. “And I think your points are well taken. Self-interest as the sole motivating factor is too simplistic.”
By this time, Hobbes is done with hair and makeup and is ready to hit the set of his movie. “Your theories argue that individuals naturally act in a self-interested way. But I’m interested in a more normative application of how we should act in an ethical way,” you assert to Hobbes as you make your way to the movie set.
